NSA spoils Bulldogs’ homecoming
Published 12:19 am Saturday, October 13, 2018
The Saints got a 40-33 win on the road against Norfolk Academy Friday night to continue their undefeated season.
NSA continues to roll through the season with their seventh win of the season. They went into a tough environment at Norfolk Academy and got a win spoiling the Bulldogs homecoming. Friday night marked the first time NSA had beaten Norfolk Academy under coach Mike Biehl’s direction.
“This was really special,” Biehl said. “Because of circumstances and opponent, it was an awesome win. We had to dig deep, and it could have gone either way.”
Norfolk Academy got things started immediately in the first quarter. They took the opening kickoff 68-yards up the field to take a quick 7-0 lead over the Saints. NSA wanted to answer back for a score but was intercepted on a fourth down pass play. The Saints ended the first quarter down 7-0.
In the second quarter, Norfolk Academy took a 14-0 lead with a rushing touchdown.
On the following possession, NSA got on the board after a 55-yard pass from Ian McAninley to Jaden Freeman. The Saints started to build even more momentum when McAninley found Zac Morris for a touchdown with roughly two minutes to go before the half. The lead was cut down 14-13. Norfolk Academy answered with another score before half to give them a 20-13 lead.
The second half was all NSA as they chipped away and took the lead to secure the win. In the third quarter, McAninley threw his third touchdown of the day to Zac Morris to cut down the lead 20-19.
Norfolk Academy answered with an 82-yard score to extend their lead to 27-19. Giving up a big play like that could have derailed the Saints, but they stayed focused. With 4:47 left in the third quarter Ehron Knight scored out of the wildcat formation to which NSA tied the game at 27.
Ben Koppelman got in on the scoring action late in the third quarter. His 28-yard run gave NSA a 34-27 lead. McAninley threw his fourth touchdown of the night to Morris for a 40-27 lead and that pretty much sealed the deal for the Saints.
“I give a lot of credit to my kids just locking in that second half and reloading,” Biehl said. “This was a big win.”
With NSA officially at seven wins, they have surpassed their previous season best of six games under Biehl. NSA will get ready for its own homecoming next game when they host Norfolk Christian School at 7 p.m. on Friday.