Warriors, Cavs face tough tests
Published 9:52 pm Thursday, October 4, 2018
The Warriors will take on Oscar Smith High School this week, while the Cavaliers will face Deep Creek and King’s Fork takes on Great Bridge. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, at 6-0, has a bye this week.
Nansemond River High School (3-2) vs. Oscar Smith High School (5-0)
Nansemond River is coming off of a win against a previously undefeated Bulldogs team. It doesn’t get any easier playing in the Southeastern District, however, as the Warriors will host Oscar Smith Friday night. The Warriors will try to make it two weekends in a row where they will knock off an undefeated opponent.
“We are not trying to make this game bigger than what it is,” Coach Justin Conyers said. “We are approaching this like any other opponent. We want to focus on ourselves and being the best team we can be when its time.”
Last week, Nansemond River limited King’s Fork to only seven points on their home field. With Nansemond River being back home this week, they hope to be even stouter against a talented Oscar Smith team. Oscar Smith has a lot of playmakers that Nansemond River will account for. With NRHS being underdogs, Conyers felt like it was a good time to bring up the recent game between Old Dominion University and Virginia Tech. No one expected ODU to be able to accomplish the upset of the Hokies, so Conyers has used that as a bit of motivation for his team.
“With ODU beating Virginia Tech, it makes the speeches a lot easier,” Conyers said. “The kids see that happen and they know what’s possible. You only have to be the better team for 48 minutes. It’s not about who is the better team. It’s about who’s the better team for those 48 minutes.”
King’s Fork High School (4-1) vs. Great Bridge High School (0-5)
King’s Fork is looking to get back on track against a winless Great Bridge team. Last week, the Bulldogs took their first loss of the season against Nansemond River. Last season after the Bulldogs took their first loss, they ran the table the rest of the season. They took the week to re-evaluate some things and work on the little things, and they are feeling good about Friday night.
“They did a really good job responding this week in practice,” Coach Scottie Littles said. “Adversity defines a man. We were in this situation last year, and we know it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
No motivation was really needed for the Bulldogs to want to get back on the field. Immediately after Friday’s loss to Nansemond River, players were calling coaches letting them know they were ready to get back to work.
Littles believes Great Bridge possesses the most efficient passing game they’ve seen so far this season.
“We are going to have to come out and do what we do and play hard,” Littles said. “People only remember for your last performance. So, we have to come out and be ready and redeem ourselves.”
King’s Fork will host Great Bridge High School Friday night at 7 p.m.
Lakeland High School (1-4) vs. Deep Creek High School (4-1)
The Cavs are coming off of their first win of the season over Western Branch High School last week. This week they face Deep Creek, which has one loss on the season and is regarded as one of the handful of premier teams in Southampton Roads.
Lakeland was able to get an explosive game out of their offense as senior quarterback Tyquan Holloman tossed five touchdowns. If the Cavs can continue that moment, Deep Creek will have its hands full. Last year, the Cavs had opportunities but couldn’t capitalize at Deep Creek.
A solid win Friday night could continue to put Lakeland in a good position for the playoffs.
Lakeland will host Deep Creek Friday night at 7 p.m.