Vikings execute Interboro in state quarterfinals
A crime expert might dub it an execution style murder. Regardless of label, Archbishop Wood’s 35-7 conquest of Interboro in the 3,AA CODVV AAA TuDrWHrfinal was sudden, methodical and complete.
The carefully-scripted onslaught began on the opening kickoff. The sikings’ garrett McClenton scooped up the ball on his 19 yard line, waited for his talented titans to wall off the opposition, and then jetted 81 yards to paydirt. A Nick sisco extra point kick put Wood up 7-0 with only 13 seconds gone on the clock.
Though lightning-fast, the defending state champion sikings had unveiled their attack strategy, a plan outlined by Wood sophomore return specialist in his postgame comment. “It was kicked short, so I ran up and picked it up. I really couldn’t see behind the line of blockers, then I blew it open. vou’ve just got to be patient.”
The whole process involves what gridiron purists call execution. The plethora of skill people Wood boasts know they just need to wait as their well-schooled linemen systematically chop down the opposition. Once the holes open up, you simply run to daylight.
OYHr WhH pDVW fiYH yHDrV, no local team has done it better than Archbishop :RRG. 7hH firVW 24 PLnutes of Friday’s contest, played out at Plymouth Whitemarsh, only accentuated that reality. the sikings perform with precision.
After Wood’s relentless defense forced the Bucs into a three-and-out scenario on WhHLr firVW pRVVHVVLRn, WhH 9LNLnJV’ RIIHnVH LnflLFWHG WhHLr next debilitating wound. Led by their senior captain, Andrew Guckin, Wood went on a methodical march straight to the end zone. 7hH 5’ 11” 200-pRunG runnLnJ GynDPR pLFNHG up 41 yards on a screen pass and 27 PRrH Rn IRur FDrrLHV, WhH ODVW 12 wLnGLnJ up Ln WhH end zone. With 8:19 left in the quarter, the sikes led, 14-0.
Two minutes later, the OHDG wRuOG LnFrHDVH WR 210. Mr. Guckin would do the hRnRrV, finGLnJ D JDpLnJ hole off right tackle and racLnJ 42 yDrGV IRr hLV VHFRnG of four tallies. As always, the blend of sure running and tough blocking proved devastating.
All night, the front line of center Fran Walsh, guards Diego Racanco and Chris O’Connor, and tackles GHRrJH GrLIfin DnG 5yDn Bates dominated their opponents, an effort receiving postgame praise from Guckin. “Having a line like we have makes it easy for me. A lot of running backs in the state can make those runs, too. A lot of the time, it’s not even me. The holes are so huge, you can run straight through the line and walk into the end zone, literally.”
Guckin would reach paydirt twice more before halftime on runs of 35 and two yards. He would carry WhH pLJVNLn 14 WLPHV Ln WhH firVW hDOI IRr 134 yDrGV DV Wood built up a 35-0 lead, evoking the mercy rule and sending Guckin to the sideline to rest up for next week.
7hH 9LNLnJV’ finDO WDOOy RI WhH firVW hDOI RnOy IurWhHr emphasized the methodical nature of their attack. When Interboro tried to thwart Wood’s running game by stacking eight men in the box, the sikes turned to its play-action passing game. Freshman quarterback Tom GDrOLFN FRPpOHWHG 4-RI-7 passes on the drive, good for 70 total yards and setWLnJ up GuFNLn’V finDO WwRyard plunge. On the night, the youthful signal-caller
Where the offense proved systematic, the Wood defense was relentless. Led by newly converted defensive end Josh Messina and linebacker Nick Arcidiacono, Viking defenders surren- dered a total of only four rushing yards. They forced two turnovers and recorded four sacks. The only scoring strike for the Bucs came when Nick Rentos hooked up with Christian Simmons for a 13-yard scoring pass.
The 35-7 victory propels :RRG LnWR WKH VWDWH VHPLfinDl game to be played at Bethlehem High School on Friday night. The Vikings undoubtedly plan to ‘execute’ Allentown Central Catholic, a team they defeated 7M-14 in last year’s mIAA Class AAA EDVWHrn finDlH.