NRHS hangs tough, but falls to Bruins
Published 1:04 am Saturday, November 1, 2014
Nansemond River High School football coach David Coccoli knew what his team was up against on Friday night when it lined up against visiting Western Branch High School.
“I thought our kids played hard,” he said. “We were playing one of the better teams in 6A.”
The Warriors made things very interesting in the second half, too.
Nansemond River High School junior running back Terrence Lambert runs for a quick 35-yard touchdown on Friday night against visiting Western Branch High School. The Warriors threatened the Bruins in the second half, but ultimately lost 28-13.
“I felt like we played a really good game, even though we lost,” Coccoli said, alluding the 28-13 final score.
The Bruins held a 21-0 lead in the third quarter, when Nansemond River started making some things happen for itself.
Senior quarterback DeShon Saunders took a carry 30 yards for a touchdown to give his team its first points.
On the ensuing drive, Western Branch junior quarterback Daniel Griffith went to pass and wound up completing one to Warriors senior defensive back Antonio Sims.
In the next play, NR junior running back Terrence Lambert ran 35 yards for a score.
Suddenly the scoreboard read 21-13, and the Bruins needed to convert to make it a two-score game. But their next drive was cut short when Sims again intercepted Griffith, who returned it to the Western Branch 39-yard line.
“We had them on the ropes,” Coccoli said.
Unfortunately, Nansemond River fumbled on the first play of its drive, giving the ball right back to the Bruins.
They made the most of the turnover, with a drive capped by senior running back Corey Gray’s one-yard touchdown run, which made it 28-13.
“We killed ourselves,” Coccoli said. “They scored when they needed to score, and we had a chance, and we didn’t capitalize.”
The Warriors appeared to still have life when, with 3:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, senior wide receiver Napolean Cross took a pass from Saunders 83 yards for a touchdown. But a surprisingly late block in the back penalty brought it back.
Coccoli protested the call, which led to another penalty.
“I do not think that that was a correct call,” he said. “I’m going to defend my kids.”
Overall, Coccoli was encouraged by his team’s performance in limiting Western Branch as much as it did.
“It shows that we’re getting better, we’re coming along,” he said.
Lambert finished with 83 yards rushing, and Saunders gained 53 yards, along with playing strong defense.
Nansemond River (4-5) hits the road to face Deep Creek High School (0-9) to end the regular season next Friday night.
