Wood rolls to 8th straight Catholic League crown

Archbishop Wood won its eighth consecutive Catholic League Class AAA title with a 35-7 victory against Archbishop Ryan on Friday night at William Tennent.

The Vikings defense, led by senior linebacker Ryan Barrett, was the early key to victory.

Barrett sacked Ryan quarterback Matt Romano three times by the eight-minute mark of the second quarter.

"Last game, I didn't play too well against [Ryan]," said Barrett, 5-foot-11, 185-pounder. "Coaches went nuts, saying I had to play my best game and be a leader, and that's what I did."

Raheem "Speedy" Blackshear and the Wood offense weren't far behind.

After Barrett and Co. forced a three-and-out on the game's opening possession, Jordan Johnson scored on a 59-yard run on the Vikings' first play from scrimmage.

Wood (11-0, 4-0) never looked back.

Blackshear finished with 96 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and added 45 yards and a score in the air (all in the first half).

With 3 seconds left in the half, the 6-foot, 170-pound junior receiver and defensive back scored on a 45-yard screen pass from Anthony Russo to put Wood ahead, 35-0.

Russo finished with 124 passing yards and two touchdowns. Shawn Thompson added 52 rushing yards and James Gillespie added 44 more and a touchdown reception.

For Ryan (7-4, 3-1), Jaye McNeil finished with 50 yards on the ground and the Raiders' lone touchdown.

"Our defense is really strong," Barrett said. "We come prepared, we watch film every day, and we really know our opponents. We contribute a lot to this team."

The key to the Wood defense, Barrett said, is simple.

"Definitely our speed," he said. "We're like a pack of wolves to the ball. Coach says every day that we're like a pack of wolves to the ball."

If Imhotep beats West Philadelphia in the Public League AAA title game on Saturday, those wolves will be needed in the District 12 Class AAA final, which would be a rematch of last season's tussle.

Wood beat Imhotep, 42-34, last year.

This season, the Vikings offense is vastly different from last season's run-heavy style.

The defense, however, could be the key to future success, and continuing Wood's winning ways.

During the Vikings' celebratory postgame huddle Friday, Wood coach Steve Devlin reminded his seniors that no team in school history could ever win more Catholic League titles.

"Yeah, we won it all four years, it's amazing," Barrett said. "I love playing for Wood, with all the tradition and always winning. It's great."

Archbishop Ryan 0 0 0 7 - 7

Archbishop Wood 14 21 0 0 - 35

W: Jordan Johnson 59 run (Dan Zanine kick)

W: Raheem Blackshear 9 run (Zanine kick)

W: Blackshear 5 run (Zanine kick)

W: James Gillespie 44 pass from Anthony Russo (Zanine kick)

W: Blackshear 45 pass from Russo (Zanine kick)

R: Jaye McNeil 26 run (kick good)

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