Humble, focused Guckin leading Wood toward another title
Archbishop Wood’s Andrew Guckin is the epitome of a football player.
“He’s the MVP of the league and leader of our team,” Wood coach Steve Devlin said. “He’s everything you would want in a football player. If you’re a coach and you can build a player from scratch, he would be like Andrew.”
7hH firVW GHflHcW SrDiVH Wo his teammates and the last to take compliments, the Vikings’ running back is a jack of all trades and a master of most, taking on responsibilities on offense, defense and special teams. Guckin is the main cog in a machine that is on course for a second consecutive state title.
“I love being in the action, whether it’s at linebacker or running back,” Guckin said. “If it was up to me, I would play every position. I love being a key part of the team.”
The senior had another great game within Wood’s 35-T blowout of Interboro in the PIAA Class AAA TuDrWHrfinDlV, ruVhing Ior 12T yards and four touchdowns in what turned out to be a cameo appearance due to the nature of the score. Guckin has made a habit of trashing opposing defenses Guring WhH firVW IHw SoVWseason games, contributing on a high level to the team’s success on both offense and defense. Whether he is piling up the yards and touchdowns running the ball or making key tackles at linebacker, Guckin takes on a great deal to make sure he puts on for his team.
“I’m just one player on the team,” Guckin said. “I just try to do my part as we get further and further into the playoffs.”
Sure, it’s easy to gush over the yards and the touchdowns, but Guckin is much more than that. He has great stats, but that’s not what is most special about him has a player. Praised by his teammates and coaches, Guckin has become the captain and leader of a team which lost two phenomenal runnings backs to graduation in Desmon and Brandon Peoples. Everyone knew Wood had a good squad coming into the fall, but after losing two impact players like that, it was uncertain if the Vikings could repeat as state champs. Guckin has everyone believing.
“We had two great running back last year, and you can’t replace them, but Andrew is a different type of runner and he does a tremendous job for us,” Devlin said. “He’s the captain of the team, we go as Andrew Guckin goes, he’s a tremendous football player.”
When you talk to Guckin, he is all business. You can tell by his tone of voice that nothing but a state title will VuIficH Ior hiP DnG WhH Vikings.
He is happy about the win, EuW noW VDWiVfiHG MuVW yet. He doesn’t like talking about himself, and the ability to stay humble amid a fantastic season is another trait that any coach would want in a player, especially when so many compliments and comparison are coming his way. Putting the team firVW iV noW VoPHWhing Dll talented football players do, but that’s exactly what
Guckin does and Wood is better off for it.
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