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Nansemond-Suffolk Academy players run line drills at practice. Photo by Tris Wykes/HRVarsity

HRVarsity Two-a-Days: Nansemond-Suffolk

2006: 2-8, 2-3 in Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools.
Coach: Monroe Wells, second year.
School colors: Royal blue, gold and white.
School phone: 539-8789.
Web site: http://www.nsacademy.org/
Fun fact: Saints Rich Brummett, Kenny Rice and Harrison Levin plan to study medicine in college.
Key game: Nov. 2 vs. Hampton Roads Academy; given that the Saints’ closest loss last season was a three-point setback to HRA in the finale, a victory over the same opponent at the same time this fall ought to signal progress.

Schedule:
* denotes conference game
Aug. 31 -- @ Windsor, 7:00
Sept. 7 -- @ Trinity Episcopal, 4:00
Sept. 14 –- vs. Norfolk Christian, 7:00
Sept. 21 -– vs. Bishop Sullivan*, 7:00
Sept. 29 -- @ Atlantic Shores Christian, 2:00
Oct. 5 –- vs. Carlisle, 7:00
Oct. 12 –- vs. Norfolk Academy*, 7:00
Oct. 19 -- @ Greenbrier Christian*, 7:00
Oct. 27 -- @ Blue Ridge, 2:30
Nov. 2 –- Hampton Roads Academy*, 7:00

2006 results:
Windsor 22, NSA 6
Trinity Episcopal 26, NSA 20
Virginia Episcopal 34, NSA 6
NSA 14, Bishop Sullivan 7
Christchurch 45, NSA 0
St. Anne’s-Belfield 49, NSA 7
Norfolk Academy 36, NSA 0
NSA 43, Greenbrier Christian 17
Blue Ridge 35, NSA 0
Hampton Roads Academy 19, NSA 16

OFFENSE:
The Saints bring back seven starters, led by senior quarterback Andy Owens (5-foot-11, 165 pounds), who should be able to throw the ball a bit more this fall. That’s because Wells has confidence that tight end Christian Upchurch (6-1, 180) has the speed and hands to be a primary receiver. J.R. Crowder (6-0, 200) was the fullback last season and has moved to tailback, while Skylar White (5-11, 195) and sophomore Baron Goodman (6-3, 250) return at guard and tackle on the line.

DEFENSE:
Seven starters return here as well, and part of that is because that’s roughly the number of players Wells expects to play both ways. Three of last year’s four starting linebackers return, led by senior David Kidd (5-11, 170) and Crowder. Sophomore Josh Todd (6-2, 210) is the third returnee.

OUTLOOK:
Nansemond-Suffolk won a conference title in 2003, but those days seem a long time ago. There’s hope this fall’s squad will be improved, but with the Saints possibly playing as few as 18 players during some varsity games, endurance is going to be an issue. "We’re beating the bushes all the time," said Wells, whose program has about 45 players on the varsity and junior varsity combined. "We have the kids getting after their buddies, and I try to work on kids I see in the halls. But the easiest way to get kids out here is to win some ballgames."

TRIS WYKES