Archbishop Wood (12)
Conference: Philadelphia Catholic League, AAA Division
Class: AAA
Nickname: Vikings
Coach: Steve Devlin
2012 Record: 13-3
Returning Players – Offense: Jr. OT Ryan Bates; Sr. OT/OG Deion Oliver; Jr. C Ryan Neher; Sr. RB Josh Messina; Jr. RB Jarrett McClenton; Jr. FB Jake Cooper; Sr. WR Kendall Singelton; Jr. WR Justin Rubin; Jr. TE Christian Lohin
Returning Players – Defense: Jr. DT Nafeez Carter-Brown; Jr. DT Devon Cobb; Jr. DE Christian Lohin; Sr. LB Josh Messina; Jr. LB Jake Cooper; Jr. CB Jarrett McClenton; Sr. CB Kendall Singelton; Sr. DB DJ Brinkley
Special Teams: “We have a kid that is coming out for the team. He is Dan McDonald. He is a soccer player and he is working real hard this summer kicking the ball. We have a couple of guys that can punt. We will make a decision closer to opening day. Jarrett McClenton and Deion Clifton did it last year for us and Kendall Singelton. We have all those guys back this year.”
Coaches comments:
How’s your offensive line?
“The first guy is Ryan Bates. He started every game for me as a sophomore at tackle. He already has six or seven division one offers. Deion Oliver is back. He plays tackle and guard positions. Ryan Neher played a little bit for me last year. He will be our center this year. We have a couple of kids battling for a spot, Joe LoStracco and Dan Coyle. Another kid battling for a spot is Shane Scroger. Tom Cardoza could add depth to the line.”
“Our tight end Christian Lohin was one of our starters from last year. He got hurt the second game of the year and was out for the year. So, he’s back. I have another kid Nafeez Carter-Brown will see some playing time at tight end and Jake Cooper.”
You have your quarterback back from last year. Talk about Tom.
“Yes, we have Tom Garlick back. He started as a freshman. He has worked hard in the offseason is bigger and stronger this year. With a year under his belt he brings back experience at the quarterback position. He throws the ball well and can run when he has to.”
Note: As a freshman he passed for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns last year.
How’s your running game?
“We lost a good player to graduation last year, Andrew Guckin. But we have three guys back from let year. We have our second leading rusher from last year back for us and he is Josh Messina. He was a fullback for us last year and caught a lot of balls out of the backfield. Jake Cooper was a fullback last year and him and Josh split time last year. Our third leading rusher from last year is back, Jarrett McClenton. He was one of my half backs from last year for us. I have a lot of depth coming back at the running back position. Jarrett and Josh carried the ball a lot for us and have good experience.”
How are your receivers?
“We got a lot of guys back there. Kendall Singleton played some receiver for us last year and he’s back. Justin Rubin played some last year for us along with DJ Brinkley. John Hall could see some reps at receiver.”
How about your defensive line?
“We have Nafeez Carter-Brown and Devon Cobb back. They both will play tackle. Christian Lohin is back on the line. Chris Gary could be our other defensive end. Ian Lyons adds depth at the line. Tom Cardoza will see some playing time on the line.”
How do your linebackers look?
“Josh Messina and Jake Cooper will be our linebackers this year. They split time last year for us. Luke Spahits and Justin Rubin are strong safety/linebacker guys. They both will see some action.”
How’s your secondary look?
“Both of our corners that started for us last year are back. They are Jarrett McClenton and Kendall Singelton. DJ Brinkley is back. He played safety and linebacker for us last year. We have a bunch of guys battling for the safety spot. Deion Clifton could see some time.”
What are your keys this year?
“The offensive line needs to gel. We have a lot of experience, we just need to put it all together. We were pretty young last year. We had some great players like Andrew Guckin, Fran Walsh and Nick Arcidiacono and they are hard to replace. But, we played so many young kids last year that I think we have guys ready to step up and run with it. I think we are really going to have a lot of skill this year.”
3 Responses
I hear hear that Wood has another Sophermore quarterback that can throw the heck out of the ball.he has great size and strength. Will we get to see any time from him this season??
Ron, Erie Prep is the defending AAA champ, not Wood.
Every pre season poll shows Wood and Berwick are the 2 best AAA teams in the east. I know people in Berwick know Wood will be waiting for them if they reach eastern final. Berwick has to play 14 games before they get their shot at the defending state champions, Love to see it happen.