Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s football team had a battle on its hands against visiting Greenbrier Christian Academy on Friday night, but a big second half for the Saints made homecoming night a happy one.

NSA coach Lew Johnston expected the Gators to be more able to contain the Saints’ spinning single wing package, which features a tailbacks sweeping in opposite directions on the outside and fullbacks driving up the middle.

“They couldn’t stop it,” he said, as the Saints overwhelmed Greenbrier Christian to pull away for a 56-34 victory.

Nansemond-Suffolk senior fullback David Gough had the kind of game that Saints fans have come to expect from him, carrying the ball 25 times for 140 yards and four touchdowns.

Junior running back Noah Giles also was a heavy contributor on the ground for NSA, contributing 136 yards to the team’s 396 rushing yards on the night. Giles also scored a touchdown.

“We just pounded them,” Johnston said. “Just played smash mouth football.”

Johnston indicated that it seemed like a series of unlikely events helped keep the Gators in the game, including risky long pass plays, where NSA defenders are keeping up with the intended receivers stride-for-stride.

“He just throws a prayer up there, and their kid goes up and gets it,” Johnston said.

In one case, a near miss by Giles on an interception attempt gave way to a passing touchdown for Greenbrier Christian.

The Gators were able to come up with two different fumbles and turn them into touchdowns on returns of 42 and 38 yards in the first and fourth quarter, respectively.

Johnston had noted coming into the game that the Saints’ defense had been unacceptable as of late. In the three games leading up to Friday night, it had given up 179 combined points.

But the Saints showed Johnston on homecoming night what he wants it to be known for.

“We stopped the run,” he said.

Nansemond-Suffolk held Greenbrier Christian to 80 rushing yards from scrimmage and successfully contained Gators junior running back KJ Bynum.

“I think his longest run may have been four or five yards,” Johnston said. “We just shut him down.”

Bynum had gained 841 yards through seven games this season, but only gained 14 yards on 10 carries Friday night.

Saints junior fullback/linebacker Cole Christiansen had a big night on both sides of the ball. He carried the ball 10 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while recording a team-high nine tackles on defense.

Nansemond-Suffolk climbed back to .500 with the win, improving to 4-4. Next Friday, it plays a big game against visiting Trinity Episcopal School, which handed defending state champion Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School a surprising loss this season.