Bishop Sullivan’s offense too much for NSA

In a huge contrast in offensive styles Friday night, Bishop Sullivan’s aerial attack prevailed over Nansemond-Suffolk’s rushing game for a 38-23 win for the visiting Crusaders.

Bobby Lamm’s 28 carries, 209 yards, two touchdowns and five points as NSA’s placekicker kept the Saints (0-4, 0-2) in the fight against their Tidewater Conference rivals.

The Saint defense did little to slow Bishop Sullivan, though. The Crusaders scored touchdowns on four straight possessions from early in the second quarter until the first minute of the fourth quarter, erasing an early 14-7 NSA lead.

Crusader senior quarterback Brian Novak was 13-for-18 passing for 334 yards and five touchdowns. Novak had one main target on each side of the field. Senior Brandte McIntyre caught five receptions, including touchdowns of 18, 68 and 53 yards. Senior Steven Swoope caught five passes with touchdowns of 19 and 50 yards.

The Saints made short work of Bishop Sullivan’s first crack with the ball. Taking over on the midfield stripe, the Saints gave the ball to Lamm and sent him inside or outside behind the right side of their offensive line.

Lamm picked up gains of 27 and 15 yards before powering into the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown. NSA led 7-0 with 6:25 to go in the first.

The Crusaders stormed down the field for a quicker answer. Novak completed four straight passes, ending with a lofted pass down the left sideline for McIntyre to run under in the end zone for an 18-yard reception and a 7-7 score with 5:02 showing.

The Saints powered the ball back down the field. Fullback A.J. Hicks and wingback Ryan McClain added to Lamm coming out of the backfield. An unlikely ball carrier got the call to cap the Saint drive.

With Lamm lined up as a wildcat-style quarterback, freshman lineman David Gough lined up at fullback, got a direct snap and shoved over the line from one yard out. Lamm’s kick made it 14-7 NSA.

The Crusader passing game only picked up pace. The Saints got a rush on Novak a couple times on the night. Every time Novak had time, though, he found a receiver for a big gain.

Starting a possession from the Crusader 32, Novak went deep to McIntyre for a 49-yard gain. On the next snap, Novak hit Swoope, slanting over the middle for a 19-yard touchdown.

Bishop Sullivan took the lead with Novak going deep down the left sideline to McIntyre for a 68-yard touchdown play with 1:32 left in the first half.

The Saints resorted to, but recovered, an onsides kick to open the second half, with Jared Morse jumping on Lamm’s kick.

Another grinding march moved the chains a couple times before the Saints settled for Lamm making a 43-yard field goal for a 21-17 Crusader lead.

An unsportsmanlike penalty on the Saints following Lamm’s kick plus a late hit on the Saints on the ensuing kickoff meant 30 yards in penalties setting up the Crusaders, who didn’t need the help, on the NSA 41.

Two snaps later it was Novak to Swoope for a 50-yard pass and touchdown and a 28-17 score.

The Crusaders made it 35-17 one play into the fourth quarter. The Saints drove 80 yards with the following drive. Lamm scored on a 2-yard run. While cutting the lead down to 35-23, NSA’s offensive strength meant taking more than six minutes off the clock in the process.

Sophomore quarterback Jackson DeMello was 4-for-12 passing for 46 yards for the Saints. In addition to Lamm’s 209 yards, Hicks carried for 79 yards and Jack Russell rushed for 49 yards.

The Saints (0-4, 0-2) will try again for their first win under new head coach Lew Johnston with a trip to Lynchburg and Virginia Episcopal School on Saturday, Oct. 1.