McCain's late heroics preserve Wood win over St. Joseph's Prep

It's not every kid who hops a bus early on a Sunday morning en route to an NFL game not involving the Eagles, especially one that's being played far out of town.

Then again, Sam McCain, a 6-1, 180-pound senior at Archbishop Wood High, is not just any kid.

He's a first cousin of Matt Ryan, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback and Penn Charter graduate, and McCain, along with close to 50 family members, bused from the Ryan's family home to Pittsburgh back on Sept. 12.

"Our whole family remains pretty close," McCain said. "We left about 6 o'clock in the morning and got back around 10 or 10:30. It was pretty cool.

"After the game we were able to see Matt in a gated-off area. The Falcons didn't play too well, and we didn't get to see him that long, but at least we were all able to spend a couple minutes together before he had to get on their team bus."

If Matt Ryan is somehow able to return the go-see-cuz-play favor later this season, perhaps McCain, an inside linebacker/wideout drawing preliminary interest from FBS (Division I-AA) schools (including Ivies), will give him another star-studded performance.

We use "another" because McCain excelled early and often and as late as possible Saturday night at Plymouth-Whitemarsh as the Vikings downed St. Joseph's Prep, 21-20, in a nonleague classic.

His performance would have been noteworthy enough if he'd only posted nine tackles (seven solos, three for 10 yards in losses) and a late-game interception, along with four catches for 40 yards. But, no, after quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg - speaking of a pro connection; his dad, Marty, is the Eagles' offensive coordinator - ran 2 yards for a touchdown at 0:00, there was more . . . McCain burst through the line to block Pat Kardish's PAT, and touch off a wild celebration.

Facing the offense, McCain lined up between the Prep's right guard and tackle. Numerous thoughts flashed through his mind.

"I was frustrated that we played so poorly in the second half," he said, mindful that Wood had jumped to a 21-0 bulge. "But I figured, 'Maybe I can make something happen. If I can just get through the line, maybe I'll have a shot.'

"On their first two kicks, they went on the same count. Didn't change anything up. I figured they'd do it a third time. I just tried to jump it.

"All week and all season, really, coach Carey [Mike, defensive coordinator] has told us, 'Don't look for when he snaps it. Look for the first flinch of his hand.' I did that.

"I got it with my fingertips. I was completely surprised I got through as quick as I did. I was kind of right there waiting for it, almost."

McCain's interception had occurred with 3 minutes, 12 seconds left.

"When I came to the sideline," he said, "the coaches were saying, 'With another first down or two, we can close the deal.' But we couldn't move the ball."

Prep could. Mornhinweg (12-for-35, 181 yards) found Paul McGann (5-74) for 33 yards (on fourth-and-19!), moving the ball to the 8. Shortly thereafter there was interference at the 2 at 0:16, then incompletions at 0:12, 0:09 and 0:02 before Mornhinweg kept, cut and dove into the end zone.

"The funny thing is, I never felt like we were going to lose," McCain said. "I just had that belief that somehow we were going to pull it out."

Wood's scores came on two rushes by ex-Prep standout Desmon Peoples (17-64) and an interception return by Michael Downs. Brandon Peoples, Desmon's first cousin, also had a pick and Nick Visco nailed all three of his kicks. The Hawks' Mark Casale ran 20 times for 70 yards and a TD while Jeff Heath forced a fumble and made 13 stops, with four going for 31 yards in losses.

Though McCain, who lives in Warminster, is unsure about a career path, he does think sports medicine or teaching could make some sense.

First, he wouldn't mind experiencing more high school heroics.

"It was an unbelievable feeling," he said.

Cousin Matt can relate.