Taylor Paves Archbishop Wood’s Way to Hershey

PHILADELPHIA: The numbers were staggering:70 points, 631 yards of offense. No those numbers are not the combined numbers of the much anticipated PIAA AAA Eastern Final between Allentown Central Catholic (ACC) and Archbishop Wood. Those numbers were put up by Wood on their own as they easily cruised their way to next weekend’s State final by crushing Allentown Central Catholic 70-14 in front of a packed house at Northeast High School’s Charles Martin Memorial Stadium.

One of the reasons for Wood’s tremendous output which included 565 yards rushing was the play of lineman Frank Taylor. Taylor whose headed to Boston College once his high school career concludes was the anchor of the line that included Jonathan Vicari, Nick and Brandon Arcidiacono Fran Walsh, George Griffin and Colin Thompson.

Entering the game, Wood’s coach Steve Devlin’s motto was simple “run it until you stop.” When you have a coach whose motto is like that you get happy lineman. “Archbishop Wood football is about getting after people driving them back. That’s all we do allowing our great backs to do whatever they want,” a joyful Taylor said adding that his team was so fired up because of what happened the last time the teams met up which ACC won 49-27. “Tonight playing this team was just gas on the fire.” Taylor said.

The backs that benefited from Taylor and his line mates hard work were cousins Desmond (Rutgers comitt) (12 carries 182 yards) and Brandon Peoples (Temple),(10-136). All they did was run for a
combined 318 yards on 22 carries.

Wood wasted little time scoring taking the open drive 71 yards on four plays before Brandon Peoples powered his way in from seven yards out.

On the ensuing Wood drive, Brandon Peoples found pay dirt from eight yards out.

On the third drive of the game for Wood, it was Desmond Peoples turn to punch it in as he covered two yards.

On the fourth drive for Wood they needed one play, a 70 yard run by Brandon Peoples to extend their lead to 28-0.

On their fifth series Wood finally went to the air has Joey Monaghan connected with Brandon Peoples for a gain of 53 yards down to the ACC one where Monaghan punched it in from a yard out to make the score 35-0 early in the second quarter.

ACC would get on the board with a eight-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Nosovitch to Kevin Gulyas. However, back came Wood with a 77 yard touchdown run by Desmond Peoples to make it 41-7. Nosovitch would strike again from 18 yards with Jalen Snyder Scipio on the receiving end to make it 41-14 entering halftime.

Also getting in the scoring act that sealed the deal for Wood was Nate Smith(two touchdowns) Ryan McMullin, and Josh Messina.