PIAA Class 5A preview: Archbishop Wood (12) 10-2

Written by: David Mika on Wednesday, December 7th, 2016. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

2016 ScheduleHarrisburg Preview2016 Scoring Stats2016 Season: O 37.4 D 13.22016 Playoffs: O 43.0 (GP-4) D 15.2 (GP-4)

Here’s a breakdown of Archbishop Wood’s projected starters (in bold) in the Class 5A PIAA State Championship game.

Quarterback

So. Jack Colyar 6-2, 190

Jack completed 109 of 202 passes for 1,871 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has size and a strong arm. He is good at using his legs to extend plays.

Coach’s comments, “He is a very intelligent kid and has a good arm. The best thing about him is he is a leader as a sophomore. That is one of his best qualities.”

Running Backs

Sr. Shawn Thompson 5-11 195; Sr. Raheem Blackshear 5-11, 170

Both backs are over 1,000 yards rushing. Blackshear rushed for 1,014 and 16 touchdowns. Thompson rushed for 1,177 yards and 14 touchdowns. Dan Freeman may get some touches.

Coach’s comments, “Raheem is a little more quicker and Shawn is a powerful runner. Both players can catch the ball out of the backfield.”

Offensive Line

Jr. C Tom Walsh 6-3, 230; So. OG Connor Bishop 6-2, 237; Sr. OG Matt Arcidiacono; Sr. OT Anthony Diodato 6-4, 265; Jr. OT Albert Glasgow

Coach’s comments, “They play well as a unit and they are young. But, they have played better as the season as gone on and are intelligent and athletic.”

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Sr. WR Mark Webb 6-3, 205; Jr. Nasir Peoples 6-1, 185; Sr. Jalen Reynolds 5-9, 185; Jr. TE Kyle Pitts 6-5, 228; Jr. TE Bill Shaeffer 6-3, 215

Webb is the team’s leading receiver with 33 catches for 703 yards and six touchdowns. Kyle has caught 27 passes for 384 yards and five touchdowns. They both are very good blockers.

Coach’s comments, “Mark does a little bit of everything. He’s a deep threat and great underneath. He is a big target for the short game as well. There are two tight ends we rotate in and they are Kyle Pitts and Bill Shaeffer.”

Defensive line

Jr. DE Kyle Pitts 6-5, 228; Jr. DE Adrian Lambert 5-10, 191; Sr. DE Rhys Vaughn 6-3, 197; Sr. DT Anthony Diodato 6-4, 265; Jr. DT Billy Shaeffer 6-3, 215; Jr. Tom Walsh 6-3, 230

By rotating all these players in, they are fresh the whole game.

Coach’s comments, “We rotate them in and they are athletic and can run.”

Linebackers

Jr. Matt Palmer 6-0, 190; Jr. Tyler Smith 6-1, 215

Coach’s comments, “They are very good run defenders and both can run and both can cover. They both play downhill with a mean streak. They are good linebackers.”

Secondary

Sr. Mark Webb CB 6-3, 202; Sr. Raheem Blackshear CB 5-11, 170; Jr. S Nasir Peoples 6-1, 185; Sr. SS Dan Freeman 5-10, 190

Coach’s comments, “They all can run and are very athletic. They are very good cover guys. Freeman is a leader out there, a three-year starter, and a captain on our team.”

Final Thoughts: Archbishop Wood has to be able to score touchdowns and not settle for field goals. They need to move the chains and throw the ball down the field.

On defense they have to eliminate Harrisburg’s big play ability and not give them any easy touchdowns. Wood needs to be aggressive on defense and attack. They need to find a way to slow down Micah Parsons on both sides of the ball.

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