40 Teams in 40 Days – Day 38 – Archbishop Wood (12) – Big School Team # 2

Written by: David Mika on Wednesday, August 27th, 2014. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Offensive Preview:

Archbishop Wood junior quarterback Tom Garlick returns after passing for almost 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for the Vikings. The backup at quarterback is junior Anthony Russo.

“We have two kids, Tom Garlick who started last year and backup Anthony Russo. Both kids are competing for the spot. Both kids can throw the ball and move. They are two athletic kids and both have strong arms. This year we are going to open up the offense more with our quarterback.”

Senior Jarrett McClenton returns at running back after an impressive junior year. He rushed for 1,705 yards on 177 carries and 28 touchdowns.

“As a runner, he has great vision, has a long stride and an explosive step. If he gets a step on you, he’s gone and will out run you. He doesn’t shy away from contact either. He’s strong and initiates contact. He runs inside or outside and is hard to bring down. We are going to use him in different spots this year. Every time he touches the ball he’s a game breaker.”

He can catch the ball too. He caught nine passes for 161 yards and one touchdown.

“He has tremendous hands. We like to throw to him in open space and let him make plays.”

They have a few guys returning a fullback and they are Devon Cobb and Mack Shwartz also Ryan Barrett.

Alex Arcangeli is another guy to keep an eye on.

“All these guys will be in the mix for some reps at fullback and halfback. Jarrett is our main back and these guys will rotate in.”

When you start with the offensive line you have to start with the number one offensive lineman in EasternPAFootball.com, Ryan Bates and will be play tackle position.

“He has great feet and is very athletic for an offensive lineman that big. He can run and has great technique. He is strong and can bend, which is very important for an offensive lineman. He’s the total package and can do everything. There are times he’s 15-20-yards down the field sometimes throwing a touchdown block against a safety. That’s very impressive at times.”

Shawn Scroger will play offensive guard and he’s 6-foot-2, 255-pounds.

Ryan Neher will be the center and he’s 6-foot-3, 255-pounds.

“I feel he’s the best center in the state. He’s smart, great technique, strong and can run.”

The other two positions will be between four or five guys battling. Nolan Murt (5-11, 235), Jack Kenney (6-1, 235), Tom Cardozo (6-1,235), Dan Coyle (6-1, 250) and Kurt Stengel (6-4, 255).

“All of these guys rotated in and played some last year for us. All these guys and the backups are back.”

Their leading wide receiver is back and he is Justin Rubin (6-1, 210). Justin caught 18 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown.

“He’s a very good route runner and he understands the game and is very good at finding the open zone. He has good hands and is very smart.”

Sophomore Mark Webb got some playing time last year and he’s back.

“He’s 6-foot-3, 185-pound kid that already has a offer from Temple. He’s a big target. He’s a kid that can stretch the field for us.”

James Gillespie (6-0, 180), Gianni Cruel (5-10, 165), John Hall (6-2, 195) and John Loughlin (5-9, 170) will rotate in.

“All those guys will rotate in and get some reps.”

Jake Cooper is back at tight end and he’s 6-foot-3, 235-pounds.

“He has good hands and had a bunch of touchdowns for us last year. He’s a big strong kid and is a very good blocker at the point of attack. He’s athletic and can run.”

Christian Lohin (6-2,240) and he is committed to Delaware. Nafeez Brown-Carter (6-0, 210) will play tight end.

“All three of these tight ends are all division one kids. At times we use all three kids out there. They all can run, block and cactch.”

Defensive Preview:

Returning on the defensive line is senior defensive tackle Devon Cobb (5-10, 230).

Christian Lohin (6-2, 240) is the defensive end. The other end is Nafeez Brown-Carter (6-0, 210).

They have a couple of guys that can play the other tackle spot. They are Jeff Panara (6-4, 240) and Mack Shwartz (6-3,220).

“All these guys are strong and quick. Tom Cardozo and Nolan Murt could rotate in at times.”

At linebacker you have to start with Penn State recruit Jake Cooper (6-3, 235). He’s the inside backer and is

“He’s intelligent, a tough kid and is very athletic to use inside the box. He can cover and rush the passer. We can do a lot of different things with him because he’s so athletic. He’s our quarterback on defense and makes the calls. He’s physical and a good tackler.”

The other returning inside linebacker is Justin Rubin and he’s (6-1, 210).

“He’s a very tough kid, has good instincts, is physical and can run. He uses his hands great as a defensive player and is a good tackler. We like to move him around depending on the situation.”

The outside guys are Mack Schwartz and Ryan Barrett. Brandon Barge could rotate in.

In the secondary they have Gianni Cruel, Jarrett McClenton, Mark Webb, Ahmod Carson and Dan Freeman.

“McClenton and Freeman will be safeties. Jarrett is a very solid tackler. He plays a lot of different spots. He’s fast and can cover people and has tremendous hands on defense. We know with him back their with his speed, he can make that touchdown saving tackle.”

Cruel, Webb and Carson will all be corners.

“I think Cruel is ready to have a break out year at defensive back this year. He started for us last year and he’s playing really well for us.”

Special Teams Preview:

Jarrett McClenton will be one of the punt returners. There is an open competition at kick return.

At punter last year they used Jake Cooper and Christian Lohin. They both are back.

Dan McDonald is back at kicker.

“He was an all-league kicker last year for us.”

Head Coach: Steve Devlin

2013 Record: 13-2 (3-0) Defending 3A State Champions

2014 Schedule

Key Starters Lost: Kendall Singleton

Offensive Players Returning: (10)