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Lakeland Passes Nansemond River By, 33-20

Story & photos by Tris Wykes | twykes@hrvarsity.com

SUFFOLK_The Lakeland Cavaliers got the breakout game they were looking for Thursday in a 33-20 defeat of Nansemond River at Arrowhead Stadium. The Warriors? They just broke down.

Each team entered with a 1-5 record and the undeniable thought that this might be the last game of the season they'd really have a shot to win. The jubilant Cavaliers hopped on their waiting school buses and left in a flurry of shouts and happy chatter. The Warriors received a tongue-lashing from their coach before lining up and marching 2 by 2 in despondent fashion back to their locker room, clacking cleats on blacktop the only audible sound.

What for years was the Battle of Suffolk between the city's only two high schools has been watered down by the opening of King's Fork and the rise of the Bulldogs' program, which has surpassed its elders in just four seasons. But the stakes in Thursday's game were not just asension in the Southeastern District standings, but bragging rights around town.

``I have a real passion for these kids because they've given me everything I've asked of them,'' said Lakeland coach Tommy Austin, whose methodical rebuilding of one of South Hampton Roads' worst programs isn't always obvious from the outside. ``I've just told them to always play hard and we'll get better every week. In the past, a mistake here and there and they couldn't overcome that, but tonight they did.''

The game's turning point came suddenly and with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Lakeland led 13-7 and was facing a third-and-two situation from the Warriors' 44 yard line. A stand by Nansemond River's defense would have likely led to a punt and a chance for the hosts to reach halftime down by only six points.

Instead, Asaad Graham made a diving, 19-yard reception of a Josh Meeks pass across the middle and Lakeland had a first down at its opponent's 25-ayrd line. Meeks threw incomplete on first and second down, but the latter attempt was followed by a roughing the passer penalty on Nansemond River. Handed first and 10 from the Warriors' 13-yard line, Meeks hit Graham on a slant for a touchdown two plays later and with 19 seconds left in the half.

Nansemond River's Michael Thomas fumbled the subsequent kickoff and Lakeland suddenly had the ball again, this time at the Warriors' 27-yard line with eight seconds on the clock. Meeks threw to Graham for eight yards on a sideline route and then, with one second remaining, fired a 19-yard touchdown pass to Sedrick Johnson even as two defenders smashed into him from front and back.

``They blitzed us and we were able to pick it up and Josh stood in there and made some nice throws,'' Austin (above) said of his senior signal-caller, who completed 17 of 39 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns. ``We were also able to run the ball and when we can do that, it gives us a chance to throw it more effectively. We got consistent play up front tonight, which hasn't been the case all the time.''

Trailing 26-7, Nansemond River punted after taking the second-half kickoff and then forced Lakeland to do the same. However, the Warriors' Melvin Dailey touched the bouncing ball after it struck the ground and Johnson recovered for the Cavaliers.

Lakeland drove 45 yards in six plays to take a 33-7 lead, aided by a pass interference call on Thomas. Kavis Shepherd ran 26 yards for the touchdown and Jake Etienne added the extra point.

Nansemond River scrapped back into the game with the help of several Lakeland mistakes. Bruce Williams caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Darryl Brickhouse on the drive after Shepherd's score and Michael Roberts returned a Jonathan Lewis fumble 61 yards for a touchdown with 6:40 left in the game. However, Nansemond River failed to recover a subsequent onsides kick attempt and turned the ball over on downs the only other time it had the ball before time expired.

``We've dropped the last four games and it's difficult to get the kids not to say `Oh no, here we go, same old, same old,''' said Nansemond River coach Tracey Parker, who's in his first season guiding the Warriors after moving over from Bethel High. ``We're at a turning point, a crossroads. Hopefully, we'll do the things we need to do to get better.''

Lakeland's Graham caught seven passes for 70 yards and a touchdown and Sedrick Johnson (above) had four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. Cavaliers running back Cedrick Johnson ran 19 times for 114 yards and Monteria Clemons carried seven times for 66 yards. Shepherd ran three times for 35 yards and a touchdown.

Brickhouse led Nansemond River in rushing with 55 yards on eight carries, one of them a 26-yard bootleg touchdown. He completed 1 of 12 passes, the lone completion the touchdown strike to Williams. Morris Johnson, who started at quarterback for the Warriors, failed to complete any of his four passes, but had one intercepted by Sedrick Johnson.

Lakeland, 2-4 in district play, concludes its season by playing Deep Creek, Indian River and Oscar Smith. Nansemond River, 1-5 in the district, finishes with Oscar Smith, Hickory and Great Bridge.