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After a hard-fought 35-20 win over the Granby Comets in the region quarterfinals. The Warriors set their sights across the Elizabeth River as they head to Norfolk to take on an unbeaten and Division 5A’s top-ranked Maury Commodores.

The 9-2 Warriors look to avenge last year’s 55-7 loss at the hands of the Commodores in the 2022 region finals. Nansemond comes in averaging 42 points per game on offense but will need to find more production if they plan to crack the Commodore’s vaunted defense that is only giving up eight points per game and has not allowed a point to be scored since Sept. 29.

Head coach Alonzo Ricks says his team must seize every opportunity and understands those moments may be limited.

“Just have to take it in intervals of 10. We get some first downs and then try to get some opportunities,” Ricks said. “Then we need to seize and capitalize on those opportunities. They’re going to probably be few and far between. But when we have opportunities, we must do what we need to do and seize those opportunities.”

Defensively, a few keys to stopping this high-powered Maury offensive that averages 61 points per game are tackling well in space and playing assignment football. 

“We have to be aligned properly. We have to play assignment football,” he said. “We are going to have to make good tackles. They have good players that can get out in space, so we have to tackle in space. We need a total team effort.”

Ricks will also look for his leaders to keep the team focused and pick each other up during adverse situations. 

“Try to be as flawless and as perfect as we can be in all that we do,” Ricks said. “Just continuously uplift and pick up each other. You know, there’s going to be some times that you’ll have some hiccups fast and some times that you’ll have some mistakes, but it’s about being resilient and how you respond to bounce back from those things.”

Resiliency is one trait this Warrior team is not lacking in. Having faced adversity and coming out on top is something they have done a few times this season. 

The game will begin Friday at 7 p.m., with the winner moving on to play either King’s Fork or Warwick.