Peoples and Peoples Show Propel Wood over OHara

Written by: Armand Vanore on Sunday, October 31st, 2010. Follow Armand Vanore on Twitter.

Springfield, Pa. Anyone expecting to see an exciting game with lots of action was not disappointed after the show that Desmon Peoples and his cousin Brandon Peoples put on yesterday during Archbishop Wood’s 48-34 victory over conference rival Cardinal O’Hara yesterday afternoon at O’Hara’s new field in Delaware County.

Wood (8-0, 2-0) and O’Hara (8-0, 2-0) came into yesterday’s highly anticipated matchup as the class of both the AAA Philadelphia Catholic League and state rankings. Both teams pride themselves with stingy defenses and potent offenses coming in. Something was about to give.

The fireworks started almost immediately during the Vikings first drive when Brandon Peoples ran thru the middle of the Lions defense for a 54 yard touchdown run. Not to be outdone by Peoples, the Lions Jay Watkins took the ensuing kickoff and scored on an electrifying 75 yard TD.

On Wood’s second possession, the Vikings generated a nine play, five minute drive culminating with Quarterback Joey Monahan’s one yard touchdown. Monahan then continued his good fortune when he intercepted a Ryan Laughlin pass on O’Hara’s next drive. On Wood’s very next play, Brandon Peoples scooted for another 58 yard touchdown and a 20-6 Wood lead.

O’Hara only ran five offensive plays (to Wood’s 16) by the end of the first Quarter. O’Hara began to pick up the pace in the second stanza with their own quick score offense going 68 yards in only four plays with three Laughlin completions and ending with beautiful strike to Senior WR Tyler Gallen and a 42 yard touchdown. Two series later Laughlin again connected with Gallen for a 15 yard TD pass and a tie at 20. Not to be outdone by the two Laughlin TD passes, Brandon Peoples cousin, Desmon decided to join in the fun on Wood’s next drive with his own 68 yard run then a 12 yard burst and a score giving the Vikings a 27-20 halftime lead.

O’Hara hurt themselves with two costly turnovers both before and right after the half. Wood recovered a Lions fumble in Vikings territory just before the half and fumbled again to start the second half on their own 27 yard line which ultimately led to another Wood score. Three plays after the Lions second fumble, Monahan’s 29 yard touchdown run through the middle of the Lion defense gave them a 34-20 lead. But O’Hara answered again going 58 yards in seven plays with the running of both Adam Dempsey and a 14 yard TD run by Watkins.

Any thoughts of a Lions comeback were immediately thwarted when Desmon Peoples took the kickoff and did his own circus imitation and a 95 yard touchdown and a Vikings 41-27 lead.

With Dempsey beginning to bear down on his own running game, he generated 50 yards in the next drive ending with Laughlin’s one yard plunge to bring O’Hara back to within a touchdown.

After a missed Wood field goal, the Vikings held off O’Hara next drive to try to knot the score and took advantage of an O’Hara bad snap on a punt formation that enabled them to have great field position on O”Hara’s 23 yard line. Five plays later, Brandon Peoples put an exclamation point on the game with an eight yard TD run.

Laughlin was pressured throughout and was sacked five times. The Lions also played without the services of RB’s Brendan McLaughlin (high ankle sprain) and Damiere Shaw (concussion).

For the Vikings, Desmon Peoples (11-175 rushing, one rushing TD, 95 kick return TD) and his cousin Brandon (9-170, 2 TD’s) as well as their offensive drive blocking, provided the difference in victory. Monahan (2 rushing TD’s, one interception, and a fumble recovery) also made a serious impact.

Both these teams figure to see each other a second time in two weeks when the PCL AAA league championship takes place. Wood plays Archbishop Carroll next week in their semifinal matchup while O’Hara will take on Monsignor Bonner.

Follow EasternPAFootball.com on Twitter @EPAFootball

---

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Δ

6 Responses to “Peoples and Peoples Show Propel Wood over OHara”

1. Dog21 says:
   November 4th, 2010 at 1:08 pm

   Big Brown
   Great points and I agree that the game will be closer with those two back on the field. I would imagine Desmon will be spying Shaw all over the field. They both have equal speed from what I have seen of both of them. McGlaughlin is a big pick up for OHara for sure. Ohara will need to find a way to stop Wood’s running game and I just dont see how they can do it. Wood’s offensive line is huge and strong and manhandled OHara’s defensive line the entire game. Wood’s D is susceptible to the passing game so if I were Algeo, that’s where I would target. If not, Wood wins by 7-10 and advances. Just a side not, Wood is a passing team and only threw the ball 5 times-the point is that they did not need to show Ohara any other formations except the Power I. I expect Ohara to try and put 7-8 in the box and this is where Wood could hurt them with the passing game..Should be a dandy!! BTW whoever wins this game will beat ACC by 14 and win the AAA State Championship.

2. BigBrown6 says:
   November 3rd, 2010 at 9:46 pm

   Wait till Brendan McLaughlin is back. Wood is going to have a very hard time stopping him. He is very very physical and can pound the ball and run kids over. He also can switch it up and use his speed or he can make a guy miss. Every play he makes someone miss or breaks a tackle. Ive seen him play many of times and he plays all out every single play and will change the game. He’ll pound the ball for O’Hara and help sustain longer drives and keep Woods offense off the field. Wood hasn’t seen a player like McLaughlin all year and when he and speedster Demiere Shaw are back, the second time around can be a different story. Watch out Wood.

3. Ed says:
   November 1st, 2010 at 9:39 am

   What a game! Desomon and Brandon Peoples where electric Saturday. So electric that Wood did not need to show much of their passing game.

4. Dog21 says:
   November 1st, 2010 at 8:36 am

   These two teams might be the best in Southeastern Pa. Both are loaded at the skill positions and both have great coaching staffs. O’Hara was missing two of their starters but I dont think it could have stopped Wood from scoring points. Wood’s massive offensive line was owning the trenches and O’Hara did not have an answer for it. O’Hara played a 3-3-5 defense so Wood took advantage and ran it on them all day. I also do not think Wood showed everything-only 5 passes all day. The next game between both teams will be the PCL Championship game in 2 weeks. That will be the game of the Year for sure!

5. Pcl fan says:
   October 31st, 2010 at 10:35 pm

   This game was incredible! Excitement from start to finish! Peoples brings you to your feet everytime he touched the ball! Wood has a serious chance to win it all!

6. Steve says:
   October 31st, 2010 at 8:41 pm

   Wood is a extremely talented team. They are going to be very dangerous come playoff time. Quick,tough and they get to the ball.