Nansemond River could not stop Deep Creek’s Morris Rivera Friday night and therefore could not stop the Hornets as Deep Creek dropped the Warriors to 2-2 and 1-1 in Southeastern district play with a 52-7 decision at River’s Arrowhead Stadium.

Rivera touched the ball nine times for the Hornet offense and scored four touchdowns, piling up 189 yards along the way.

The Hornets took the opening kick down to the Warrior 34 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Rivera took a sweep around the left end 34 yards for a touchdown 19 seconds into the game.

River responded strongly however, moving the ball well for what would prove to be the only occasion all night.

Mixing runs and passes well, the Warriors took the ball down the field on a 12-play, 66-yard drive that ended with Justin Topping hitting Jonathan Simpson on a tight end screen, and Simpson breaking a tackle and then using a stiff arm to fight his way 13 yards for the touchdown.

All-in-all, the Warriors took 7:14 off the clock, with Topping going 3-for-3 throwing, Chris Boothe gaining 15 yards, and Deon Artis gaining 13 yards during the scoring drive.

The Warrior defense stopped Deep Creek inside the Warrior 10 on the next Hornet possession, forcing a 25-yard Jared Johnson field goal.

After River went three and out, the Warrior defense rose to the occasion again once Deep Creek had goal-to-go, this time a 25-yard field goal attempt missed, and the score remained 10-7 Hornets with 4:00 before the half.

River had second-and-two on their own 28 after Chris Boothe began the Warrior possession with an eight-yard carry; but Boothe was stopped on his next run, and Topping threw incomplete on third down, forcing River to give up possession.

Deon Artis’ punt attempt was blocked and Corey Harris returned the ball 23 yards for a touchdown.

River was held to three-and-out again, and with 17 seconds remaining, Rivera struck again, this time running 64 yards for a touchdown. Within 3:43, instead of getting to the half with a close game, it was 24-7 Hornets.

In the second half, River totaled 21 yards of offense and one first down.

The Warriors lost three fumbles.

Deep Creek went for 360 yards on the ground.

Topping finished six-

for-13 for 58 yards passing. Boothe was River’s leading rusher with 28 yards on 12 carries.

Nansemond River will complete their Suffolk competition for 2005 next Friday when they visit King’s Fork (the Warriors defeated Lakeland earlier this season).

Fork, which lost to Western Branch Friday, fell 35-0 to their local rivals last season, and are looking for both their first-ever district and intra-Suffolk victory.

andrew.giermak@suffolknewsherald.com