Nansemond‑Suffolk Academy’s football program entered the 2026 season with a new confidence, and an 8‑1 record shows it’s paying off. Head coach Robbie Duncan says the team now knows its identity and is playing with purpose.
“Last year we realized we were good at the last second,” Duncan recalled. “This year we’re like, ‘Alright, we know who we are. Let’s play like that.’” The sentiment is echoed by junior quarterback David Ortell, who arrived at the school with a strong belief in the program.
“Coming into the offseason we had so much confidence already that we knew we were going to be a team,” Ortell said. “We knew the talent we had, the work we had to put in to get there.”
Ortell and Duncan share a history from Western Branch, where they first worked together. That familiarity has fostered a trust Duncan describes as rare at the high‑school level.
“There’s a trust there that you can’t say you have with most high‑school quarterbacks,” Duncan noted. “He’s been a breath of fresh air and really elevated the whole team.”
Friday’s high‑stakes matchup
The Saints close the regular season against St. Anne’s‑Belfield, the team that eliminated them from the playoffs a year ago. The game promises physical, gritty football – the kind Ortell loves.
“We know it’s going to be a physical game and those are the games you live for,” Ortell said. “I love those gritty games where it comes down to the last possession.”
Adding extra intrigue, St. Anne’s‑Belfield is coached by former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller, a two‑time Super Bowl champion. Ortell, whose family are avid Steelers fans, says the matchup feels personal.
“It’s honestly going to be a dream come true,” he smiled. “My dad’s going to be in the stands ecstatic. We’re all big Steelers fans, so it means a lot.”
Coach Duncan agrees the contest offers a chance to prove the Saints belong among the state’s best.
“It’s always good competition when you’re going against a team coached by Heath Miller,” he said. “You want to show up against that kind of competition and prove that you belong.”
Playoff implications
A victory Friday would likely secure a home playoff game for Nansemond‑Suffolk, giving seniors a chance to finish their high‑school careers on familiar turf.
“A lot of seniors this year – it would probably mean the world to them to get to play one last time at home,” Ortell said. “As a first‑year guy here, I’m kind of doing it for them.”
Coach Duncan emphasizes carrying the team’s confidence into the postseason.
“Go into the playoffs with a lot to prove and show that you belong,” he said. “In that situation, it plays to our benefit.”
Nansemond‑Suffolk and St. Anne’s‑Belfield will meet at 6 p.m. Friday in Charlottesville, with a win positioning the Saints to host their first playoff game.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
