Wood leaves no doubt in Eastern Final

By Armand Vanore, Easternpafootball.com Writer;

Philadelphia, Pa., Archbishop Wood completely turned the tables on Allentown Central Catholic’s fortunes with a resounding 70-14 win in the eastern final and a berth in the AAA championship game next week. ACC dominated this game last year 49-27 at Bethlehem while on their way to a state championship.

If there was any doubt about the outcome of this game it was decided almost immediately when Wood took the opening kickoff and scored in four plays highlighted by Desmon Peoples (Rutgers) 45 yard run to the ACC 7 yard line. His cousin Brandon Peoples (Temple) scored on the next play and the drive took only a little over a minute to execute.

Last year’s star in this game and the AAA state player of the year Brendan Nosovitch (South Carolina) came into this game with assorted injuries and suffered a slight ankle sprain in their win last week against Shamokin. His mobility was not the same as in last year’s game where he ran for 196 yards. However Wood’s defense was much improved and defensive coordinator Mike Carey dialed up plays designed to flush Nosovitch out of the pocket and rush many of his throws. From the outset, the plan was to execute the quick no huddle offense to keep Wood off balance but it appeared that Wood was able to adjust to anything Central’s high flying offense would generate. At the same time they were punting enough times and not able to give their defense any rest versus Wood’s running attack.

By the start of the second quarter Brandon Peoples took a Joe Monaghan screen pass and went 53 yards down to the ACC 1 before Monaghan snuck in for the TD making it a 35-0 Wood lead with still over 11 minutes left in the first half. By this time both Peoples combined for four touchdowns and in addition to the horses up front blocking, Wood’s speed around the edge and off tackle was virtually no match for what ACC was doing on the defensive end.

Up 41-14 to start the half Wood picked up where they left off when Nate Smith returned a punt 73 yards on a highlight reel run for a touchdown absolutely putting an end to ACC’s great run.

Brandon Peoples ended his night with 136 yards on 10 carries and 3 touchdowns. His cousin, Desmon had 12 carries for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns. All this work was generated in the first half while both sat out the second stanza.

Allentown Central ends their season at 9-6 with some great offensive games and a suspect defense. Gulyas had 9 receptions for 75 yards and a TD while Jalen Snyder-Scipio had 7 for 119 and a touchdown.

Notes: Desmon Peoples came up limping after his 77 yard touchdown in the second quarter. He did not return. The offensive line led by Frank Taylor (Boston College), Brandon Arcidiacono (Rutgers), Brandon’s brother Nick, Colin Thompson (Florida), Fran Walsh and George Griffin were outstanding in opening holes for the Peoples cousins.

Scoring By Quarters

1st Quarter

AW: Brandon Peoples: 7 yard run: PAT: Nick Visco: 10:35

AW: Brandon Peoples: 8 yard run: PAT: Nick Visco: 6:47

AW: Desmon Peoples: 2 yard run: PAT: Nick Visco: 4:20

AW: Brandon Peoples: 70 yard run: PAT: Nick Visco: 2:28

2nd Quarter

AW: Joe Monaghan: 1 yard run: PAT: Nick Visco: 11:55

ACC: Kevin Gulyas: 8 yard pass from Brendan Nosovitch: PAT: Tim DiGiacomo: 10:33

AW: Desmon Peoples: 77 yard run: PAT: Blocked: 4:19

ACC: Jalen Snyder-Scipio: 18 yard pass from Nosovitch: PAT: Tim DiGiacomo: : 50

3rd Quarter

AW: Nate Smith: 62 yard punt return: PAT: Nick Visco: 10:54

AW: Ryan McMullin: 34 yard run: PAT: Nick Visco: 8:36

AW: Ryan McMullin: 11 yard run: PAT: Nick Visco: 3:14

4th Quarter

AW: Josh Messina: 81 yard run: PAT: Nick Visco: 2:14

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