Class 5, Region 5B, Southeastern District
Last Year: 8-2 Regular Season, 9-3 Overall
Head Coach: Alonzo Ricks Jr, 4th season
Nansemond River hasn't missed the playoffs since 2012 including all three seasons under head Coach Alonzo Ricks Jr. The Warriors have won 17 games the past two seasons.
Offense
The Warriors have a lot of speed and athleticism on the outside at the skill positions. Junior Tavion Douglas (5-foot-11, 175) is the top returning pass catcher and finished the regular season with 42 receptions for 610 yards and 12 touchdowns. Junior Josiah Johnson (5-foot-11, 170) and senior Karon Madison (5-foot-8, 165) provide quickness and experience.
"Our strengths will be the quality of our skill guy," Ricks said. "Those young men are all very interchangeable and can do a lot of many different things when getting the ball in their hands."
Junior quarterback Tyrell Grant Jr. takes over from the highly productive All-State performer Alkendric Overton who threw for 1886 yards and 22 touchdowns. Grant should be able to step right in as he was one of the top quarterbacks in the Eastern Region during his sophomore season at I.C Norcom. He threw for 1334 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 74 of 131 pass attempts. He also added 220 rushing yards with two scores.
"We have some new faces on this side of the ball, so getting the best out of them is key," Ricks said.
In the backfield, senior running back Melvin Brown tallied 55 carries for 650 rushing yards. He has an offer from Hampton Sydney.
The Warriors have to replace most of the offensive line starters. Senior James Lemar is the only returning starter but he is a force upfront and he made All-Suffolk last year. Lemar has several D2 offers including an offer from Virginia Union.
"We feel that as long as we continue to grow and mesh as a unit we can do some great things with the amount of playmakers we have," Ricks said.
Defense
The linebacker Group returns three junior starters. Nigel Grier (6-foot-0, 225), Travis Freeman (5-foot-9, 220), and J'Kari Colden (6-foot-0, 220)
"Our strength we feel this year is our linebacker and defensive backfield," Ricks said. "We return the most guys and have the most experience across the board. "
Senior Raja'ee Jones (6-foot-0, 185) and Josiah Johnson (6-foot-0, 160) both received offers from Ferrum. Jones, who also has an offer from Roanoke College, finished with 40 tackles and three interceptions including one pick six. Tavion Douglas also had three interceptions and senior Jeremy Lyons is a returning starter.
Nansemond River will have to replace their entire defensive line. James Lemar will looked on to lead the front four.
"We feel that the main concern would be the lack of experience right now on the defensive line," Ricks said.
Last Year: 8-2 Regular Season, 9-3 Overall
Head Coach: Alonzo Ricks Jr, 4th season
Nansemond River hasn't missed the playoffs since 2012 including all three seasons under head Coach Alonzo Ricks Jr. The Warriors have won 17 games the past two seasons.
Offense
The Warriors have a lot of speed and athleticism on the outside at the skill positions. Junior Tavion Douglas (5-foot-11, 175) is the top returning pass catcher and finished the regular season with 42 receptions for 610 yards and 12 touchdowns. Junior Josiah Johnson (5-foot-11, 170) and senior Karon Madison (5-foot-8, 165) provide quickness and experience.
"Our strengths will be the quality of our skill guy," Ricks said. "Those young men are all very interchangeable and can do a lot of many different things when getting the ball in their hands."
Junior quarterback Tyrell Grant Jr. takes over from the highly productive All-State performer Alkendric Overton who threw for 1886 yards and 22 touchdowns. Grant should be able to step right in as he was one of the top quarterbacks in the Eastern Region during his sophomore season at I.C Norcom. He threw for 1334 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 74 of 131 pass attempts. He also added 220 rushing yards with two scores.
"We have some new faces on this side of the ball, so getting the best out of them is key," Ricks said.
In the backfield, senior running back Melvin Brown tallied 55 carries for 650 rushing yards. He has an offer from Hampton Sydney.
The Warriors have to replace most of the offensive line starters. Senior James Lemar is the only returning starter but he is a force upfront and he made All-Suffolk last year. Lemar has several D2 offers including an offer from Virginia Union.
"We feel that as long as we continue to grow and mesh as a unit we can do some great things with the amount of playmakers we have," Ricks said.
Defense
The linebacker Group returns three junior starters. Nigel Grier (6-foot-0, 225), Travis Freeman (5-foot-9, 220), and J'Kari Colden (6-foot-0, 220)
"Our strength we feel this year is our linebacker and defensive backfield," Ricks said. "We return the most guys and have the most experience across the board. "
Senior Raja'ee Jones (6-foot-0, 185) and Josiah Johnson (6-foot-0, 160) both received offers from Ferrum. Jones, who also has an offer from Roanoke College, finished with 40 tackles and three interceptions including one pick six. Tavion Douglas also had three interceptions and senior Jeremy Lyons is a returning starter.
Nansemond River will have to replace their entire defensive line. James Lemar will looked on to lead the front four.
"We feel that the main concern would be the lack of experience right now on the defensive line," Ricks said.
