Thursday football in Suffolk
Published 9:21 pm Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Nansemond River High School senior running back Terrence Lambert, with the ball, pushes forward behind his blocker, and the Warriors will be pushing for more yardage and a win tonight against visiting Western Branch High School.
The Nansemond River High School football team’s meeting on the gridiron with Western Branch High School has been moved up a day to Thursday this week.
“We have a game Tuesday,” Warriors coach David Coccoli said, and now his team will have an extra day of rest and preparation before then.
The Warriors had a forced bye week last week due to inclement weather, but their nearly two weeks without a game will stand in stark contrast to the busy schedule they are about to tackle.
After tonight’s game, Nansemond River makes up its postponed Oct. 2 road game against Indian River High School on Tuesday, then turns around and hosts Great Bridge High School three days later for homecoming.
It will provide some challenges for Coccoli as he seeks to prepare his team.
“This week it’s not that big of a deal, but next week we’re going to have to condense some things a bit,” he said. “But we do what we have to do.”
Western Branch (2-3) at Nansemond River (3-1) — 7 p.m.
Last season: Bruins 28, Warriors 13
Coccoli said the Bruins have not changed much from last year in terms of their scheme.
He noted the Warriors fell short against Western Branch in 2014 because they got a touchdown called back, they committed a couple of turnovers and gave up a few big plays.
“We’re a different team than we were last year,” he said, referring to the more experienced nature of the 2015 Warriors, and he hopes to see it show tonight.
There are several key Bruins players Nansemond River will need to contain.
“They’ve got a good running back,” Coccoli said, highlighting junior Keith Bryant.
Another junior running back to watch is Brandon Byrd, who scored both of his team’s touchdowns last week against Grassfield High School and gave Western Branch its second 100-yard rusher of the game, in addition to Bryant. Despite their efforts, the Grizzlies prevailed 17-14.
Coccoli also drew attention to the ability of Bruins senior quarterback Jacob Wilson, a Great Bridge transfer, senior tight end Maurice Davis and an impressive junior lineman, Clint Marshall.
