Archbishop Wood wins First State Title

Coming into the game tonight, Archbishop Wood (14-1) was looking to win their first P.I.A.A. State Football Title. Bishop McDevitt was looking to avenge last year’s 28-27 loss to Allentown Central Catholic in the Class AAA State Title game.

Wood threw the first punch and never looked back as they cruised to a 52-0 shutout victory over Bishop McDevitt (13-3), Saturday night at Hersheypark Stadium.

This was the largest margin of victory in P.IA.A. Football Championship history, and the second highest point total in P.I.A.A. Class AAA Championship history.

The Peoples’ cousins rushed for a combined 322 of Wood’s 343 rushing yards in the game. Brandon Peoples’ rushed for 171 yards on 16 carries; Desmon toted the pigskin 18 times for 151 yards.

Wood would average 8.4 yards per carry.

Running back Ryan McMullan (5 carries, 16 yards), quarterback Joe Monaghan (1 carry, 3 yards) and Jake Cooper (1 carry, 2 yards) completed the rushing attack with 21 yards.

The Vikings combined for 391 total yards, while the Crusaders compiled 259 yards.

Wood continued the scoring assault in the second half in the third quarter, when Andrew Gucklin intercepted an Alec Werner pass and returned it 75 yards for the score.

The Vikings continued the scoring with two Brandon Peoples’ touchdowns. The first touchdown was a 67 yard burst on 2 plays. His other touchdown, a 6 yard run, finished off the game’s scoring.

Brandon People’s scored the first touchdown of the game as well, as he would run 30 yards for the score, on a 3 play – 47 yard drive.

His cousin, Desmon, was not to be outdone. Desmon would score the game’s next touchdown, a 54 yard scamper, on the first play of the drive. He would add another touchdown early in the second quarter, a 1 yard plunge, for a Wood 21-0 lead.

Vikings’ wide receiver, and West Virginia recruit, Nate Smith (1 catch, 19 yards) would score on a 19 yard toss from quarter Joe Monaghan (2 for 6, for 48 yards), extending Wood’s lead to 28-0.

Vikings’ placekicker, Nick Visco would kick a 41 yard field with 1:06 left before halftime, for a Wood 31-0 lead.

This was the Philly Catholic League’s third State Football Title since beginning their P.IA.A. membership in 2008.

McDevitt quarterback Alec Werner completed 21 of 48 passes, for 239 yards but also threw 3 interceptions. He completed most of his passes to Brian Lemelle (11 catches, 127 yards) and Shawn Seif (8 catches, 90 yards).

The Crusaders rushed for a measly 20 yards on offense.

Also contributing to the article is Josh Funk.

http://www.d11football.com/news/12/17/archbishop-wood-wins-first-state-title/