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By Matthew Hatfield

Contributing Writer

Boyd Dazzles in Latest King’s Fork Win

It was the Kalteri Boyd show for King’s Fork as the Bulldogs held off a second half charge from the Deep Creek Hornets to improve to 6-0 overall.

Boyd hauled in an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cameron Butler late in the first quarter and put the finishing touches on the win with a 94-yard pick-six in the fourth period as the Bulldogs prevailed 35-14.

“Kaletri did a great job. Compared to last year, he really hadn’t come up with as many explosive plays as we thought,” said KFHS coach Anthony Joffrion. “I know that sounds a little crazy because he’s scored 10 touchdowns. He’s really starting to get back into his groove.”

While Deep Creek’s rushing touchdown in the third quarter pulled them within a score at 20-14, King’s Fork would stiffen in the final stanza as they scored the game’s final 15 points. Boyd finished with a game-high 118 yards receiving on three receptions.

Next up for King’s Fork is a much-anticipated home clash on Oct. 14 against powerhouse Oscar Smith (5-0). The Bulldogs want to keep their buzz going.

“I think it’s huge, especially for our football program. It’s the first time in school history we’ve sold out every home game at King’s Fork. I don’t ever remember the stadium being this packed. It’s been amazing to see,” noted Joffrion, aiming for an outcome like the infamous 2017 regular season finale where King’s Fork halted Oscar Smith’s 99-game Southeastern District winning streak in a wild 29-23 finish.

“The last time Oscar Smith came to King’s Fork actually was in 2017 in front of the craziest game environment I’ve ever been a part of… and I expect it to be a similar, high-energy crowd,” Joffrion said. “We just have to stay disciplined and not make the game bigger than what it is. I fell victim to that last year. This year, we’re a more experienced coaching staff. We just have to focus on the fundamentals and details.”

Playing a defending two-time state champion that has won 21 straight games over district foes will be quite the test in October, perhaps replicating the type of title match the Bulldogs hope to be playing come December.

“I’m telling my kids all week that this is championship week,” Joffrion added.  “Whoever wins this game is most likely going to win the Southeastern District, which was one of the goals we set out to begin this season.”

 

Nansemond River Cruises Past Lakeland

In their largest margin of victory of the season, Nansemond River dusted off city rival Lakeland 52-0 to improve to a 4-2 overall.

“There are always things to work on and get better at, but our guys played well. It was pretty close to a complete game,” Nansemond River head coach Alonzo Ricks Jr. said.

Nasir Holland had three rushing touchdowns. Nick Grier scored twice, one on a run and another on a reception. Melvin Brown had a pair of touchdowns. Both Brown and Grier ran for over 100 yards. Dallas Slaughter also added a 42-yard field goal.

The Warriors visit Deep Creek Oct. 14.

“Everything at this point in the year matters,” Ricks said. “Since the Southeastern District is so competitive week in and week out, you have to give your best. We’re trying to get as many wins as we can over quality opponents and see where we stand that second Friday in November.

“We’d just love to be in the city. Even though it won’t be on Nansemond Parkway and it would be on either Kenyon Road or King’s Fork Road, that would definitely work out for us,” he said.

 

NSA Defeats Catholic

It wasn’t easy, yet Nansemond-Suffolk Academy persevered through some difficulty to defeat Catholic High of Virginia Beach 27-13 for its latest win on the gridiron.

“Hat’s off to Catholic because they came out with a great defensive game-plan that really made us hesitate and tested our discipline.  I’m really proud of our guys for sticking with the plan and pushing through,” remarked NSA coach Mike Biehl.

“By no means was it a pretty win, but a win is a win nonetheless,” Biehl said. “We walked away from this one really feeling like that’s not the standard we have to play at moving forward.”

Catholic keyed in on containing the dynamic NSA passing attack of Gabe Wansart to Isaiah Fuhrmann. As a result, the Saints were forced to take more of a grind-it-out approach for obtaining their lead.

“The offensive line up front did a great job making sure we had enough time to make plays in the passing and running game,” Biehl said.

“Offensively, a lot of role players stepped up and made plays because they did a good job of trying to take Isaiah out of the picture,” Biehl said. “Preston Groves and Jackson Runyon both stepped up in a big way. Noah Delk also did a great job on defense along with Andrew Miller to hold us together.”

At 4-1, the Saints will play host to Norfolk Academy, a team that Biehl calls “super disciplined,” for homecoming on Oct. 14.