Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s football team followed a Week Three win with a 65-42 loss to North Cross on Friday.

The Saints are now 1-2 on the year. North Cross (4-0) came to Suffolk and put up 65 points. In the previous two games, they scored a combined 103 points.

“Every time you come out of a game, it’s never as good as you think or its as bad as you think,” coach Mike Biehl said. “I’m disappointed with the loss, because we had opportunities to take advantage of. They are a good football team, but we have to finish what we start.”

The Saints allowed 532 yards of total offense, 397 of them in the air. However, NSA put up 451 yards of offense, including another night of more than 200 yards rushing.

Ehron Knight had a big night for the Saints with 202 total yards of offense and three touchdowns. He also added two interceptions.

“I try to play hard every game for my team,” Knight said. “It just wasn’t in the cards for us to win tonight. I was just trying to do my best tonight to make sure we had the best chance to win.”

North Cross struck first, scoring on a pass with 9:02 in the first quarter. The Saints then returned the kickoff for a touchdown by Shaun Faulk.

The Raiders led 27-20 at the half.

“We had opportunities in the red zone or close to that we didn’t take advantage of,” Biehl said. “In the open field, we have to become better tacklers, as well.”

During the third quarter, momentum swung the Raiders’ way. They put up 30 points to NSA’s 14 during that period. Both teams had four turnovers.

“We could have executed better on offense and defense,” Erek Smith said. “Coach put us in the right spots, but we just didn’t execute.”

Biehl hopes his team learned a lesson about keeping its composure when things aren’t going well.

“I know my guys are tougher than what they showed out there,” Biehl said. “We have to stay in the game mentally. We will work on that.”

Biehl was happy with his team’s offensive performance as they did put up a season-high 42 points. Quarterback Robby Tew threw for 200 yards. Smith led the team with 65 receiving yards on five catches.

“We did some good things and some bad things,” Smith said. “We’ll forget about this loss and get ready for next game.”

NSA will be at Perquimans High School at 7 p.m. on Sept 23.