By: Andrew Bertz
PHILADELPHIA-On Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 the Archbishop Wood Vikings squared off against the Father Judge Crusaders in a Philadelphia Catholic League showdown. The Vikings were heavy favorites in this game, but it did not come easy for them.
The first half was a constant battle for Archbishop Wood. The Vikings’ offense was inconsistent, and the defense was sputtering at times. Father Judge jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on Wood. Then Wood stormed back with 13 unanswered points until the Crusaders were knocking on the door midway through the second quarter.
Archbishop Wood vs. Father Judge Game Highlights:
At the Archbishop Wood 10 yard-line, Father Judge quarterback, Shane Dooley, scrambled to his right. It seemed to be apparent that he would run it into the end zone for a touchdown, but a Wood defender knocked it out of his arm at the one yard-line and the Vikings recovered on their own nine yard-line. Archbishop Wood would dig themselves out of the shadows of their own end zone, but Father Judge’s Shane McGovern, took the final minutes of the first half into his own hands.
Wood’s quarterback, Jack Colyar, dropped back to pass and threw a pass over the middle but overthrew his intended receiver and into the hands of McGovern who took the ball all the way to Wood’s five yard-line.
“We were playing cover three, I saw their best receiver lined up in the slot and I baited their quarterback into throwing the ball,” said McGovern.
Two plays later Dooley avoided a near sack and was able to find McGovern in the end zone once the play broke down and while the buzzer was sounding off. This put Father Judge up 14-13 heading into halftime and they wouldn’t find the end zone for the rest of the game.
Post Game Interview with Wood head coach Kyle Adkins:
Archbishop Wood started the second half with a field goal set up by a long run from their running back, Tom Santiago, to go up 16-14 and never looked back. Father Judge saw a heavy dose of Santiago and the Wood run game throughout the second half.
“I give all the credit to my offensive line,” said Santiago.
Meanwhile Wood’s defense harassed Dooley and contained McGovern on their way to a 31-14 win.
“This win was big for us, it’s not easy to win in the Catholic League,” said Archbishop Wood head coach, Kyle Adkins.
Archbishop Wood plays Archbishop Ryan next week while Father Judge meets up against La Salle.