HAMPTON, VA (WTKR) – It may not be as well known outside of Hampton Roads, but the Battle of the Bay is the 757’s annual rivalry in their own backyard. Both teams, former players and fans know what’s at stake each year.
Hampton and Norfolk State meet on Saturday afternoon for their annual showdown on the Spartans’ home field, and after suffering a loss in their own stadium last year, the Pirates are looking for a little revenge. Head coach Trent Boykin, a member of Hampton’s staff since 2021, has been to a few Battle of the Bay showdowns and knows just how intense this matchup can be.
“I’m not even mentioning their names. I’m just saying the team across the water,” Boykin smiled. “I completely understand what this rivalry is about in the 757 area, and so everyone knows what this game is about and what this game means.”
“There are guys that have played on this team before, guys that grew up in Norfolk, grew up watching Norfolk State, some guys have friends on this team,” added senior defensive back Jordan White. “There’s definitely some nasty talk. It’s just the Battle of the Bay. The 757 rivalry.”
No team has won two consecutive games in the series since 2016. Hampton won the last two meetings on enemy territory, while Norfolk State has won the last two games on the peninsula. Given the proximity of the schools and the familiarity of many of the players and alumni, the bragging rights are worth a little more in this case.
“I have a friend on this team,” White noted. “I haven’t heard that in a while now, so it’s definitely important to go out there and be able to brag and say, ‘Yeah, we won,’ especially on their court.”
“It’s about bragging rights for the 757, it’s about bragging rights in recruiting,” Boykin added. “We’re all kind of recruiting the same people in this area.”
Both the Pirates and Spartans are coming off their first wins of 2024. Hampton beat Virginia Union last weekend and Norfolk State beat Virginia State. Now they meet looking to get a second straight win and gain some momentum as their conference dates approach.
“When you get the first win, you have to keep the hunger for the second win,” Boykin said. “There’s a lot that goes into that, the second win, the road win, the rivalry game. There’s a lot that goes into that, so yeah, that’s important for us.”
Hampton and Norfolk State begin Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Spartans’ Dick Price Stadium.
