Blog LIVE Game Blog - Nansemond River (5-0) at Indian River (4-1)

[matthew328826]

Follow our updates here throughout the night on this comfortable Friday night in October from Chesapeake and James L. Frye Stadium as the Indian River Braves (4-1) play host to the visiting and undefeated Nansemond River Warriors (5-0), who currently check in at No. 4 in our latest VaPreps Class 5 Top Ten rankings.

View attachment 947364

Watch on NFHS Network Here!

See Tidewater Predictions & Analysis Here!

Kick-off coming up at 7 PM EST + stay tuned for updates throughout the night on Twitter or 'X' as it is more commonly referred to @hatfieldsports

 

[matthew328826]

It'll be Indian River ball at their own 22 after a fair catch on the opening kickoff. Looks like the Braves are in their base formation with doubles - two receivers to each side - to start behind dazzling freshman QB Lord Malik Heru. Check that, they actually have wide receiver Jason Preston lined up as the QB and the Warriors jump for an encroachment penalty to move them five yards closer.

Nansemond River is in Cover 3, so the Braves have an opportunity to get a quick completion for a chunk of yardage. They do just that, although it's a shorter gain of six to Elijah Boggs to move the sticks. The Braves then go back to that first formation / set look and it ends up losing a yard with Preston running to his left. On 2nd & 11, a quick pass in the flat to Anrell 'Tre' Pugh III, the tailback, for a short completion of just two yards.

On 3rd & 9, the Braves see Heru scramble and he ends up getting tagged down for only a yard. Indian River's punt is near disastrous as it gos sailing by the punter - Noah Martinez - and retrieves it and gets it off as he gets clobbered by Calvin Holloway of the Warriors. No penalty.

Nansemond River takes over at their own 47 with 8:38 left in the first period.

 

[matthew328826]

Just a basic inside slant that Tyrell Grant Jr. puts on the button to Jaemarree Parker, who ends up zigging and zagging past a couple of defenders with enough juice at the end to find paydirt. The home crowd sounds stunned / silent right now.

Another fair catch by the Braves on the ensuing kickoff has them at their own 30 with 8:35 left in the first stanza.

 

[matthew328826]

Lord Malik Heru looked very settled on that series with receivers getting plenty of space to operate on that series. Nansemond River might have to chang up some of its plan defensively and coverage because there was way too much room for Heru's receivers, particularly Jason Preston and Donovana Brown, who had a 34-yard grab that put them on the doorstep of the red zone.

On the very next play, it's Jason Preston on a corner fade where he had a much smaller corner he was able to get the advantage on for the easy score.

 

[matthew328826]

Emotions were running high on the ensuing kickoff with a mini scrum of players going back and forth. There were tensions before the game from both sides and a lot of woofing.

Nansemond River loses a yard after starting from their own 12 with 4:43 to go in the opening frame with a one-point lead. A big stop behind the line of scrimmage from sophomore Kayce Jordan, who is drawing lots of attention from D-1 schools. Tyrell Grant Jr. finds Keontae Bumpers for a 12-yard completion, and then following a 4-yard run from the QB, the Braves make another stop behind the line of scrimmage. It's Jordan and Corey Sanderlin.

On 3rd & 7, the Warriors get the quick completion to TaiVon Douglas that ends up being a yard short of the first down. Instead of going for it on 4th & 1 from their own 32, Nansemond River decides to quick-kick punt it with TaiVon Douglas and it's a 33-yarder.

Indian River's second series starts at their own 35 with 38 seconds left in the opening period. This is a good chance for the Braves to try and quickly get into Nansemond River teritory. After a 5-yard run by QB Lord Malik Heru, he finds Donovan Brown on a crossing pattern for 22 yards. However, it is brought back due to a holding penalty. The Nansemond River linebackers are not getting much depth on their drops in coverage.

 

[matthew328826]

After a 7 for 7 start by freshman QB Lord Malik Heru for 80 yards and a touchdown, the Braves turn it over. It's a beautiful interception by Warriors defensive back TaiVon Douglas, who telegraphed it on what looked to me to be an out pattern along the sideline. Not only did he make the play, but Douglas returned it 14 yards before being knocked out of bounds at the Indian River 30.

Nansemond River's offense cannot take advantage of the great field position. Indian River's three-man front, led by Kayce Jordan, is collapsing the pocket well quickly on Warriors QB Tyrell Grant Jr. He loses a couple of yards on 2nd & 10 and then on 3rd & 12 his pass is incomplete. That means the Warriors decide to punt it away on 4th & 12 from the Braves 32, playing the field position game.

Indian River's third series starts at their own 13 with 10:07 to go in the first half. Instead of 3rd & 15 from their own 8, the Warriors really shoot themselves with multiple personal foul penalties after the play was over. That gives Indian River a fresh set of downs at their own 38.

Safe to say, both teams came out over-hyped and it seems to be affecting the Warriors more negatively at the moment, despite the 7-6 lead.

 

[matthew328826]

Both offensive lines are struggling mightily right now in pass protection. Linebacker Travis Freeman sacks QB Lord Malik Heru on 2nd & 10. Then on 3rd & 14, Heru tries to get rid of it quickly on a screen play that was slow to develop and almost intercepted. If Nansemond River LB Xavier Lagrou was a step quicker on it, he would've gotten the takeaway.

After the time-out, the Braves will be punting it away with 8:27 to go until half-time.

Neither team has established the run. The Warriors have run it five times for five yards. Meanwhile, the host Braves of Indian River have just eight rushes for two yards.

 

[matthew328826]

Absolutely stunned - we'll say SHOCKED - that Indian River decided to play that with no safety help over top, basically bump and run style coverage, against one of the fastest players in the state without question. Sophomore Quicy Gilmer put on a show at the state track meet earlier this year and he completely roasted that Indian River corner on a 50-yard TD pass from Tyrell Grant Jr. On that play, Grant threw it a good mile and Gilmer caught up to it on the run -- exactly how you want to execute it.

Only thing is Nansemond River might need that point that they missed on the PAT that was blocked later. You can also bank on penalties having an impact on this one, perhaps the outcome, before it's all said and done. The more disciplined team is going to win this one, or the least disciplined one will lose it -- either way you prefer to view it...

 

[matthew328826]

Indian River's fourth possession starts at midfield with 7:54 till half-time. A quick completion from Lord Malik Heru gains five yards, but then the running game only picks up a couple with Arnell 'Tre' Pugh III. Nansemond River DB Jaemarree Parker leveled the boom on one of those hits.

Instead of taking an incomplete on 3rd & 3, Warriors Coach Alonzo Ricks Jr. takes a penalty on Indian River to bring up 3rd & 13. It nearly proves costly as a Braves receiver drops a pass and the official picks up a flag he initially throws, presumably for interference on the defender. Now the Braves are punting it away again.

We've got the wind picking up considerably and a steady rain, too, so this will certainly affect how the teams go about throwing the football.

 

[matthew328826]

Following a two-yard loss on a run play, Nansemond River relise on its passing attack to move the chains and they get it done. The Warriors do a nice job of using the whole width of the field to spread it around to Quincy Gilmer and Keontae Bumpers for gains of +9 and +5, respectively.

On 2nd & 13, the Braves get flagged for a 15-yard personal foul penalty after they appeared to have the Warriors stuffed in the backfield for a loss with third & long looming. Another completion to Gilmer gets them seven yards and to the Braves 39-yard line. However, on the very next play, Grant makes his first really poor pass of the night as he delivers off his back foot, fading away, and Indian River DB Travis Wiggins capitalizes with an interception.

That gives the Braves the ball at their own 39 with 1:35 to go in the half -- and with all three time-outs. Plenty of time to get in field goal range of possibly reach the end zone. Lord Malik Heru completes a pass to Donovan Brown for 10 yards and Head Coach Brandon Carr burns his first time-out with 1:28 to go in the second period. Even worse, a 15-yard penalty on the Warriors pushes the Braves to the NR 36.

 

[matthew328826]

Another Nansemond River defensive pass interference penalty, followed by a 10-yard completion from Lord Malik Heru to Jason Preston, has the Braves in prime scoring position at the Warriors 10 with 45 seconds to go in the first half.

A 10-yard penalty on Indian River backs them up to the 20, but what do they dial up then? The same play that got them their first touchdown, and although Jason Preston pushed off it appeared, the officials don't call this one. It's his 2nd TD of the night.

 

[matthew328826]

Nansemond River has to be shaking its head about the self-inflicted wounds - 7 penalties for 85 yards and a turnover fairly deep in enemy territory.

The Warriors do have time at midfield - 29 seconds left - to try to get points on the board or in field goal range to break the tie before the half.

 

[matthew328826]

An absolutely fantastic catch by Nansemond River sophomore wideout Quincy Gilmer, who I have no idea how he was able to hang on to the pass as he got his clocked cleaned on a vicious hit by an Indian River defender. Penalties on each side after the play - a half the distance on the Braves and 15-yarder on the Warriors - brings up 1st & 10 from the IR 20 with 15 seconds in the half. That comes after that incredible 30-yard grab by Gilmer.

Penalties continue. Not much time now for the Warriors with 9 seconds to go from the Indian River 30, but give major props to QB Tyrell Grant Jr. for diving out of bounds as the clock expires. The officials actually huddle and say he goes out of bounds with a second left.

But the field goal from 37 yards out for Nansemond River is well short and no good. That takes up to half-time, deadlocked at 13-apiece.

 

[matthew328826]

Some numbers at the break forthcoming...

 

[matthew328826]

Stats at the Half:

Indian River 13:
Lord Malik Heru - 11-14 for 126Yds. 2-1 TD/Int. ratio
Jason Preston - 3Rec. 52Yds. 2 TD's
Donovan Brown - 4Rec. 49Yds.
Kayce Jordan - 5 Tackles, 3 TFL
Elijah Boggs - 3 Solo Tackles

Braves - 23 plays for 130 total yards (11-14 for 126 yards passing, 1 interception; 9 rushes for 4 yards); 7 penalties for 60 yards; 1 turnover


Nansemond River 13:
Tyrell Grant Jr. - 10-12 for 191Yds. 2-1 TD/Int. ratio; 4Car. 17Yds.
Quincy Gilmer - 4Rec. 96Yds. TD
Jaemarree Parker - 1Rec. 53Yds. TD; 4 Tackles, 0.5 TFL
TaiVon Douglas - 2Rec. 16Yds; INT
Travis Freeman - 4 Tackles, Sack

Warriors - 21 plays for 202 total yards (10-12 for 191 yards passing, 1 interception; 9 rushes for 11 yards); 9 penalties for 110 yards; 1 turnover

 

[matthew328826]

BIG development to pass along as this 2nd half starts - - Nansemond River sophomore WR Quincy Gilmer was ejected for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties (not fighting). Does it mean he has to sit further games? Time will tell, we have been told in the pressbox.

The VHSL will review it and make a decision after reviewing the film.

It's Nansemond River ball at the 38 after a great kickoff return by Jaemarree Parker to begin the third quarter.

 

[matthew328826]

Tyrell Grant Jr. completes his first pass of the second half to TaiVon 'Philly' Douglas for 23 yards down to the Braves ona quick screen. Good block on the perimeter by receiver Calvin Holloway. An encroachment penalty moves the Warriors five yards closer. After getting stoned on a run play and an incomplete, it's third down suddenly for the visitors from Suffolk.

A great play-call of QB draw on 3rd & 4 from the IR 9 as Grant is able to dive in for the tie-breaking touchdown.

 

[matthew328826]

Another 'floating' point out there lost for the Warriors after that TD that could loom largely at the end.

 

[matthew328826]

Indian River is stuck at their own and they gain only one yard. Then on 2nd & 9 with Trips left, the Braves get flagged for a 10-yard holding. That creates 2nd & 19 from the 11. Lord Malik Heru scrambles for five yards out of doubles. Then on 3rd & 14 from their own 16, it's Heru scrambling and getting close to the first down after a missed tackle, but LB Jkari Colden forces and recovers a fumble for the Warriors on defense. Arguably their biggest defensive play of the night and second takeaway.

The Warriors have really good field position at the Braves 28 with 8:56 to go in the third quarter. Nansemond River is unable to make the most of it, gaining one yard on first down. They go Trips right and it's incomplete. Another incomplete happens on third down, where Jay'Sean Preston almost intecepts the pass along the near sideline.

Leaving the offense on the field on 4th & 9, Nansemond River watches QB Tyrell Grant Jr. get sacked for a loss of 13 back to their 40. However, a face-mask penalty makes it now 4th & 4 at the Braves 22. What a break for the Warriors.

 

[matthew328826]

Corey Sanderlin makes the sack for the Indian River defense as both he and Kayce Jordan were chasing Tyrell Grant Jr. on 4th & 4. Think the Warriors thought against the field goal try with kicker Will Monument - who Coach Alonzo Ricks Jr. can hit from up to 45 yards he told me in pregame - based on the field goal condition / weather.

Indian RIver's offense appears to be in major trouble, facing 3rd & 13 after a dropped pass. Lord Malik Heru is intercepted for the second time on the night, this one at the 40-yard line by Jaemarree Parker, who is thinking pick-six. However, right at around the 25-yard line, he fumbles and it's recovered by Raymond Pusey of the Braves. It gives them a fresh set of downs at their own 26 with 6:31 to go in the third period.

Now can either of these two teams get the running game working?

 

[matthew328826]

After a first down completion to Valen-Tino Shaw, the Braves offense finds itself in a crucial spot on 4th & 9 from the 39-yard line of Nansemond River. It is there that freshman QB Lord Malik Heru shows phenomenal poise and composure, scrambling around for a gain of 12 to move the sticks.
A few plays later after a drag route to Shaw gets seven yards, the Warriors break down with an encroachment penalty. There Lord Malik Heru throws a beautiful touchdown on a fade pattern, this time to Elijah Boggs. Now the Braves are a PAT away from taking their first lead of the night.

 

[matthew328826]

Sincere White blocked the extra point try for Indian River after a beautiful job against the Cover 3 by freshman QB Lord Malik Heru to put it on the money to Elijah Boggs for a touchdown on the back corner fade (his previous two on that play went to Jason Preston).

Ethan Welton returns the ensuing kickoff about 19 yards to the Braves 45 with 31 seconds left in the third period. After a fourth straight incomplete, Warriors QB Tyrell Grant Jr. gets back in a rhythm with a 10-yard connection on a short one underneath to Calvin Holloway.

Throwing the ball for yardage is not a problem for Nansemond River. The Warriors have 224 yards passing on 12 completions compared to just 19 yards rushing on 13 attempts.

 

[matthew328826]

These two have delivered throughout the night... and we have at least 12 more minutes of football.

 

[matthew328826]

Not sure why Coach Alonzo Ricks Jr. decided to go for 2 there. But the Warriors have to like their chances if it's tied late or have a chance to finish things off as long as they have No. 1 in QB Tyrell Grant Jr. He's been in control most of the night, save for a couple of minor miscues.

Indian River begins at their own 17 now with 10:19 to go in regulation. A pass out in the flat to Arnell 'Tre' Pugh III gains about six, but then a 15-yard face-mask / personal foul penalty on the Warriors gets them closer to the 40 and midfield. On a slant pattern, it's TaiVon Douglas making a really fine pass breakup.

Too many times the Nansemond River linebackers are losing contain on scramble plays and Lord Malik Heru makes them pay with a 13-yard scramble to the Warriors 49. Then it's Heru finding Jason Preston for his first catch of the second half. Preston had three grabs for 52 yards and 2 TD's before half-time. That one gets them up to the 28 of Nansemond River.

Following a loss of four on a run, the Braves go for a shot in the end zone with Preston and Douglas is able to prevent him from hauling in his third touchdown. A false start sets up 3rd & 19 from the NR 37 with 8:17 left in regulation.

 

[matthew328826]

Back-to-back incomplete passes for Indian River means a turnover on downs. Nansemond River takes over ata heir own 37 with a 25-19 lead and 7:57 to play.

 

[matthew328826]

Nansemond River had a very solid drive working, then it stalled and didn't love the decision to hand it off there to Dayon Curry (just one carry for one yard on the night prior) rather than QB draw with Tyrell Grant Jr.

Major kudos to Corey Sanderlin for making the play.

 

[matthew328826]

Freshman Lord Malik Heru is having his moment under the bright lights on the big stage. Lord Malik Heru recovers from four straight incomplete passes in this fourth quarter by connecting for a string of four straight completions.

Jason Preston gets body-slammed by a Nansemond River defender, drawing another 15-yard penalty.

 

[matthew328826]

What a drive orchestrated by the freshman QB Lord Malik Heru with seven consecutive completions to five different players - Jason Preston, Elijah Boggs, Donovan Brown, Valen-Tino Shaw and Arnell 'Tre' Pugh III - in going 68 yards in 3:47 for the game-tying touchdown.

 

[matthew328826]

Couple of quick completions from Tyrell Grant Jr. - for gains of +6, +14 and +10 - almost got the Warriors in field goal range, but they ultimately ran out of time.

So we're headed to OT...

These two quarterbacks - #Syracuse commit Tyrell Grant Jr. of Nansemond River and fabulous freshman Lord Malik Heru of Indian River - have combined for 524 yards passing and 6 TD's passing + 2 TD's rushing!

Who needs Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen when we've got this, right?

 

[matthew328826]

It's Nansemond River ball to begin the OT and the first pass in the back of the end zone is incomplete, nearly intercepted by Jay'Sean Preston of Indian River. This might take the run out of equation for second down, unless it's a QB bootleg / keeper.

A sprint-out is incomplete and Malik Avery along with Elijah Boggs help break it up... now setting up 3rd & Goal from the IR 10.

 

[matthew328826]

 

[matthew328826]

First pass for Lord Malik Heru is incomplete. Now 2nd & Goal for the Indian River Braves from the NR 10. That snaps a string of 7 straight completions. Another incomplete brings up 3rd & Goal.

 

[matthew328826]

Wow!

More to come later.

WOW!!