Norfolk State wins "Battle of the Bay" for third straight year

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Gerard Johnson inserted himself Saturday.

And then, to make up for a mistake, he asserted himself.

Johnson scored an 80-yard, go-ahead touchdown and Norfolk State’s defense held firm in a 17-10 win over rival Hampton in the annual “Battle of the Bay.”

Johnson, a senior playing in his final college game, carried seven times for 100 yards as the Spartans (4-7, 3-5 MEAC) earned their third straight win over their top rival for the first time since 1978-80.

With NSU ahead by the final margin and the Pirates (5-5, 5-3) driving, safety Bobby Price made a sliding interception of a Jaylian Williamson pass on the Spartans 16-yard line with 26 seconds left to preserve the win.

Price, a freshman out of Bishop Sullivan High in Virginia Beach, was beside himself.

“I can’t explain it right now,” he said. “A loss for words. I’m just happy we won. It’s a great way to end the season.”

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