Nansemond River High School defeated Western Branch High School 35-0 at home Friday night.

Special teams were the name of the game for the Warriors Friday night. They returned two punts for touchdowns in their 35-0 win over Western Branch. Nansemond River had only beaten Western Branch once since the school has been open. The Warriors now sit at 4-3.

“We played well,” Warriors coach David Coccoli said. “I am extremely pleased with the special teams performance. Our special teams coach does a good job, and you just couldn’t ask for anything better than that.”

Nansemond River snapped out of a three-game losing streak that saw them take losses to two teams with one loss and one team with no losses.

Rashad Williams got things started in the first quarter, returning a 45-yard punt for a touchdown, putting Nansemond River up 7-0 after one quarter of play. At halftime, the Warriors were still up 7-0.

In the third quarter, Wali Faulk added a rushing touchdown, and Josiah Hayes scored the other punt return for a touchdown to put the Warriors up 21-0 after three quarters of play.

Two rushing touchdowns by Kori Riddick and Chaiz Barnes in the fourth quarter put Nansemond River up 35-0. The score led to a running clock being played for the fourth quarter.

“We have had some adversity recently, but the kids bounced back,” Coccoli said. “The kids are excited about the challenge we have next.”

Between Hayes and Williams, the Warriors had more than 150 return yards. Kevin Johnson led the team with 80 yards rushing. Defensively, Peyton Payne stood out with five tackles, with three of them being tackles for losses.

Nansemond River will start getting ready for a Deep Creek High School team who has only one loss this year.

Nansemond River 35, Western Branch 0

Nansemond River 7 0 14 14—35

Western Branch 0 0 0 0—0

NR—Williams 45-yard punt return (Lomax kick)

NR—Faulk 4-yard run (Lomax kick)

NR—Hayes 42-yard punt return (Lomax kick)

NR—Riddick 1-yard run (Lomax kick)

NR—Barnes 6-yard run (Lomax kick)