Staff report

A seven-yard rush by Trayce McPherson with nine minutes to play gave Nansemond River a 19-14 comeback victory over host Great Bridge (on the Wildcats’ Homecoming Night) on Friday night, moving the Warriors to 2-2 in the Southeastern District.

River took a commanding lead early on, as Terrell Artis shot past a startled Wildcat offense on an 85-yard interception return in the first quarter. The Warrior defense held, and Phillip Henderson ran for an 18-yard score to up the lead to 13-0. However, the Wildcats scored late in the second quarter to cut the lead to 13-7, and recovered a Warrior fumble in the third quarter to take a 14-13 lead.

Fortunately, the River offense took over with 1:47 to go in the third quarter, and ate up the clock with a 5-minute drive. McPherson scored, and the revitalized Warrior defense kept the Wildcats from threatening again. The Warriors will host Western Branch on Friday. Lakeland wasn’t as lucky, falling behind 28-0 at halftime before losing 42-21 to host Hickory. The Cavaliers will play their Homecoming Game against Indian River on Friday.