Archbishop Wood knocks out Pottsgrove

Written by: Willie McGonigle on Saturday, December 5th, 2009. Follow Willie McGonigle on Twitter.

PHILADELPHIA: Philadelphia Pennsylvania a city know for some classic heavyweight battles in the boxing ring and on Friday night Philadelphia was the host of another classic heavyweight battle but this one wasn’t in a ring but it was on the gridiron. In one corner you had the District 1 champion Pottsgrove Falcons and in the other corner you had the District 12 champion and defending Eastern champion the Archbishop Wood Vikings and when it came down to the final bell it was the Vikings behind big plays and the play of their QB Jerry Rahill that delivered the final knock out blow as the Vikings walked away from Northeast Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium with the 30-28 victory. “It was a battle out there two great teams going toe to toe couldn’t get any better” is how Sam McCain would describe the game.

Fans didn’t need to wait long for the first haymaker to be landed as on the opening kickoff the ever dangerous Scott Adkins fielded the opening kickoff after bobbling the kickoff found some room in Falcons kickoff team and it was off to the races he went for the 85 yard touchdown. Nick Visco would add the extra point giving the Vikings the 7-0 lead

The Vikings would have a chance to extend their lead to 10-0 with 5:44 to go in the opening twelve minutes but Visco attempt at 40 yard field goal would be no good. Thus opening the door for the Falcons to respond and that they did with 14 play 80 yard drive that was capped with a 10 yard plunge by QB Terrell Chestnut tying the things up at 7.

The Vikings would respond on the ensuing drive going 51 yards on five plays including a 41 yard hook up between Rahill and Kevin Shaw to put the Vikings at the Falcons 10 yard line four plays later Rahill would sneak his way in from an yard out giving the Vikings the 14-7 lead.

The Falcons would respond on their next drive after the Falcons were originally force to punt the Falcons would capitalize on the muffed punt that set up the Falcons on the Vikings 22 yard line and seven plays later Kavyon Green would plunge in from nine yards out tying the ball game up at 14.

The Vikings would take the lead with two seconds left in the half when Visco would nail a 33 yard field goal that capped a eight play drive that included a 24 yard hook up from Rahill to McCain.

The Falcons would come storming back in the second and even take the lead with seven play 80 yard drive that was capped by Chestnut to Scott Madl connection that was good for 43 yards to give the Falcons their first lead of the ball game with 2:23 left in the third.

Back came the Vikings on the first play of the fourth quarter when Rahill capped a six play 62 yard with his 3 yard touchdown pass to Colin Thompson. Rahill also completed a 50 yard pass to Kyle Adkins on the drive. The Vikings would lead with 11:49 to go in the ball game.

The Falcons came storming right back on their ensuing drive that cover 60 yards on fifth teen play drive that was capped with a one yard plunge by Greene to put the Falcons up 28-24 with 3:23 left to go in the ball game.

On the ensuing Viking drive Rahill showed why he was voted MVP of the Philadelphia Catholic League AAA division as he orchestrated a nine play 62 yard drive in which he completed two consecutive passes to McCain for gains of 19 and 15 respectfully before connecting with McCain for a ten yard gain to put the Vikings at the Falcons ten yard line. Two plays later both Rahill runs the Vikings would take the lead for good when Rahill made the best of what looked to be a busted play in from nine yards. “All game we were moving the ball on them and we shot ourselves in the foot with penalties (9-82) but we were moving so with three and half minutes we knew we could take it down.” Rahill would add that” there was no way we had all the confidence in the world.” Rahill would finish the game 221 yards passing to go along with 92 yards rushing while McCain would finish the game with five catches for 68 yards. “Jerry can run ball really well.” McCain would go on to add “I love Jerry, he’s a great quarterback he keeps us all cool and clam he’s a true and really comes up in the clutch.” Vikings head coach Steve Devlin would go to say “Jerry is our leader.

With the win the Vikings move into their second straight PIAA AAA State Semi-Final where they will meet a familiar foe in the Seals of Selinsgrove. Last season the Vikings defeated the Seals 13-7 before falling to Thomas Jefferson in the State Final.

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8 Responses to “Archbishop Wood knocks out Pottsgrove”

1. Dog21 says:
   December 8th, 2009 at 6:30 pm

   Selinsgrove vs Wood once again. They are starting a nice little rivalry. Both should be congratulated for getting back to the Eastern Champ in back to back years. That is ver difficult to do. Wood lost 18 from last year and Sealinsgrove is always in the mix. Seals prob favorite but it will be a close game.

2. Jeremy Varner says:
   December 5th, 2009 at 3:50 pm

   It is our brackets are updated.

   https://www.easternpafootball.com/2009playoffs.html

3. Doug says:
   December 5th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

   The way they were talking on the radio last night the game is gonna be in Hershey again.

4. B. Shep says:
   December 5th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

   Where are all of the no it alls that wee saying that Rustin and Wood would have been a better matchup. How about the one that said that T. Chestnut is overated. Although Pottsgrove lost the game, I think they obviuosly SHUT UP their critics.

5. footballfan says:
   December 5th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

   what a great game both teams played their hearts out…woods qb is a great player…terrell chestnut is on of the best athletes i have seen this year

6. Gordon says:
   December 5th, 2009 at 11:10 am

   I was to the game and it was as exciting as you say. It is a shame that somebody lost. But really there were no losers in this one. Great representatives on both sides of the field. I always look forward to seeing teams from outside the Philadelphia area. So we will see who gets the bragging rights when all is said and done.

   Gordon

7. Rollie Ciffo says:
   December 5th, 2009 at 8:56 am

   Wood should be congratulated. They played a really good game. Pottsgrove could not stop their passing attack. The real difference in the game was the Wood’s opening kickoff return for a touchdown. I was there and it was a great game.

8. JoeLet says:
   December 5th, 2009 at 3:07 am

   AAA Eastern Championship comes down to Selinsgrove and Wood once again. Anyone know where this game may be played? District 12?