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.

&uot;It doesn’t matter if we’re 0-8 or if they’re 8-0,&uot; said Maus. &uot;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.&uot;

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

&uot;My guys don’t care where they play,&uot; Maus said. &uot;They just want to get it on.&uot;

Defensive end Dennis Conley certainly does. &uot;It was frustrating last year, but I don’t think that will happen this year,&uot; said Conley, a member of the defense that allowed three touchdowns last season. &uot;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.&uot;

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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