Countdown to kickoff: Archbishop Wood
Archbishop Wood is looking to capture its fifth PIAA state title in seven seasons.
Archbishop Wood
Coach: Steve Devlin (11th year, 120-20-1).
Last season: 14-1; won fourth state title in six seasons.
Offensive scheme: Multiple-I.
Defensive Scheme: 4-4.
Offensive starters returning: 8.
Defensive starters returning: 8.
Players to watch: Kyle Pitts, TE-DE; Nasir Peoples, RB-DB; Matt Palmer FB-LB; Billy Shaeffer, TE-WR-DL; Jack Colyar, QB; Tyler Smith, FB-LB; Tom Walsh, OL-DL; Albert Glasgow, OL-DL; Connor Bishop, OL-DL; Ryan Loughlin, WR-DB; Adrian Lambert, RB-DE-OLB.
Quick facts: The Vikings have claimed nine straight Catholic League titles. … Pitts (Florida), Peoples (Virginia Tech), Palmer (Delaware), and Shaeffer (Lafayette) have committed to Division I programs. … Smith (6-2, 235) has scholarship offers from Army, Delaware State, Morgan State, and Navy. … Walsh (6-4, 255) has drawn interest from Army and Navy … Glasgow (6-2, 260) is receiving heavy interest from Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference schools. … George Mazzacano, a 5-10, 220-pound junior fullback and defensive lineman, was in the varsity rotation last season. … Colyar, a junior who has committed to play baseball at Duke, threw for 1,900 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. … Wood will open the season vs. Oxbridge Academy (Fla.) on Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.