Tonight: The Suffolk Shootout!

Staff

Published Friday, September 27, 2002

Warriors try to ride momentum to win

Since Brian Maus became head coach at Nansemond River before the 2000 season, his Warriors haven't scored a single point against Lakeland, losing by a combined score of 51-0. But that doesn't mean that Maus is taking tonight's 'Suffolk Shootout' against the Cavaliers too seriously.

"It doesn't matter if we're 0-8 or if they're 8-0," said Maus. "We're still going to go after each other. We don't have to worry about motivation for this game, because the guys will be ready to go."

Last season, the Warriors were embarrassed at home, falling 24-0. Tonight, they'll head over to Cavalier Park.

"My guys don't care where they play," Maus said. "They just want to get it on."

Defensive end Dennis Conley certainly does. "It was frustrating last year, but I don't think that will happen this year," said Conley, a member of the defense that allowed three touchdowns last season. "This team always gets psyched up for Lakeland; it's the game that we circle on every schedule. Everything's going to fall into place tonight."

Running back Trayce McPherson hopes to improve on the three touchdowns and 151 yards he curried up against Churchland.

"I'm going to try to do better that I did against them," said the sophomore. "Our guys are bigger and them, so we hope our power can beat their speed. But Lakeland's just another opponent."

Cavaliers eager to bounce back from past disappointments

Over the past two weeks, the Lakeland offense has performed miserably, outscored 45-24 in losses to Norcom and Norview. But head coach Vincent Pugh has done everything in his power to put those games out of his players' memories.

"We can't go back and get those games, so we're only worrying about the game (against Nansemond River)," Pugh said of tonight's 6:30 game at home against the Warriors. "We need a win any way we can get it for our confidence." The game will be both teams' Southeastern District opener, so it's important for both to get an inspiring victory.

"Defensively, we should be back on track," said Pugh. "Our offense has been pretty consistent; they just haven't put points on the board. But our season is still promising."

Tailback Ramon Faltz hopes to add to that promise against the Warriors. "We haven't been executing the past two weeks," said the junior, a rookie on the varsity team. "But it's time to step up, because we want to go to the playoffs."

The lack of aggression on defense in the two losses was obvious to strong safety R.L. Everett. "We weren't hustling in those games," Everett said. "Everybody needs to do their job against Nansemond River; we need all 11 people going for the ball.

"We're going to get hype against a local rival like (the Warriors)," the senior continued. "We're going to try to continue our shutout streak!" The Cavaliers have beaten the Warriors 27-0 and 24-0 the past two seasons.

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