Nansemond-Suffolk Academy was punished on both sides of the rushing game Friday night, as Virginia Episcopal School’s stifling run defense, NSA turnovers and over 250 Bishop rushing yards all combined for a 39-0 Saints defeat in NSA’s home opener.

VIS Div. 2 runners-up a year ago, the Fighting Bishops received the opening kick and moved down the field without a problem, going up 7-0 only 1:54 into the game.

NSA was forced to punt, but a fumbled return was recovered by Kelvin Demps at the VES 22, giving NSA a good chance to respond. NSA was stopped on downs however after Jack Wright was sacked and a screen pass to Kyle Jett was stopped for a five-yard loss.

The Saint defense held fast on the next two Bishop possessions, but the NSA rushing attack got nothing going. The VES line stopped anything up the middle, and anything to the outside was run down by the linebackers or corners.

A 42-yard TD run put VES up 14-0 with 8:36 remaining in the half. A Wright interception on the next NSA possession, resulted in a 22-yard field goal for the visitors; and a 30-yard VES fumble return, made the score 24-0 within the next five minutes.

Wright spent most of the rest of the night in the shotgun in an effort to buy time against the Bishop defensive line. NSA was able to move the ball through the air, with Adam Gillette being the primary target for Wright.

Wright finished the night 9-for-22 passing and 151 yards, with seven catches and 143 yards going through Gillette.

The Saints were unable to get on the board though as NSA drives stalled at the VES 11 just before the half, and then the VES 22 during the third quarter.

The Saints totaled eight rushing yards as a team, and only attempted five rushing plays the whole second half. Defensively, Adam Nash led the Saints with three tackles for losses.

NSA (1-2) gets into TCIS action next Friday evening, hosting Bishop Sullivan Catholic at 7 p.m.

andrew.giermak@suffolknewsherald.com