Saints wrap up No. 2 seed
Published 12:12 am Saturday, November 7, 2015
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy freshman fullback Ben Koppelman breaks a tackle as he runs for a touchdown on Friday night during the Saints’ 38-8 victory over the visiting Hampton Roads Academy Navigators. (Janine DeMello photo)
The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy football team worked quickly to put Friday night’s game against visiting Hampton Roads Academy out of reach.
The Saints took an early 24-0 lead on their way to defeating the Navigators 38-8. The win allowed NSA to wrap up the No. 2 seed in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II rankings, giving the Saints home field advantage for next week’s state semifinal game.
“We did what we needed to do,” Nansemond-Suffolk coach Lew Johnston said. “We got Noah (Giles) the record, and we started pulling starters in the first quarter.”
The record Johnston referred to was the NSA regular season rushing record. Prior to Friday night, the high mark for a single regular season had been 1,775 yards, set by Danny Holly in 1980.
With a little under 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter, Giles took a hand-off and ran the ball 48 yards for a touchdown, eclipsing Holly’s total.
Giles finished the night with three carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns, setting the new Saints regular season rushing record at 1,809 yards.
There was doubt as to whether Giles would have the opportunity to break the record after Hampton Roads Academy was forced to forfeit the remainder of their game on Oct. 30 against Isle of Wight Academy due to a lack of healthy players. But HRA called on Wednesday, letting NSA know it would be able to participate this week.
“We were just very thankful that they were willing to play,” Johnston said. “The HRA coaches and administration were very complimentary of our kids and the fact that we didn’t try to run it up.”
Nansemond-Suffolk senior running back Daniel Griffith scored on a one-yard run, but the remainder of the Saints’ scoring came courtesy of less familiar names.
Sophomore Jordan Houston scored on a four-yard run in the first quarter and finished the game with a team-high 15 carries for 87 yards.
Freshman fullback Ben Koppelman scored the Saints last touchdown of the game on an extraordinary 38-yard run.
“It was a great, great effort, really proud of him,” Johnston said. “He already is a great football player, but only a freshman, so he’s got a bright future.”
Getting the early lead also gave five eighth-graders for NSA an opportunity to play quite a few snaps, gaining valuable varsity experience.
Nansemond-Suffolk will host its VISAA Division II state semifinal game next week.
