Keith Pompey: 5-foot-8 Adkins is a giant for Wood

HERSHEY, Pa. - Scott Adkins is far from imposing.

At 5-foot-8 and 145 pounds, the Archbishop Wood junior looks too small to play even flag football.

But as teams are finding out, looks can be deceiving.

The speedy defensive back is a major reason the Vikings are the first District 12 football team to reach the PIAA Class AAA state championship.

The Philadelphia Public League joined the PIAA as District 12 in 2004; The Catholic League became a participating member of the district this season.

Adkins had an interception and several bone-jarring tackles as Wood defeated Selinsgrove, 13-7, in Friday's state semifinal at HersheyPark Stadium.

The Vikings (12-2) will face the defending state champion, Thomas Jefferson (14-1), in Friday's 7 p.m. final at HersheyPark Stadium.

Adkins and Co. advanced after doing the unthinkable: They shut down the Seals' high-power passing attack.

Junior quarterback Cory Briggs went into the game with 2,179 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. However, he completed just 9 of 19 passes for 62 yards. Adkins' interception came in the first quarter. Selinsgrove was held to 151 yards of total offense.

For Wood, it was just another day at the office: The Vikings are holding opponents to nine points a game.

But Wood must shut down another high-power passing attack to win the state title. Thomas Jefferson, of Jefferson Hills, is a Western Pennsylvania power.

Jefferson quarterback Tyler Wehner was 10 of 14 for 274 yards in five touchdowns in Friday's 49-21 semifinal victory over West York. He also rushed for another score.

After beating Selinsgrove (13-2), Adkins took time to chat about Wood's first state championship appearance.

Question:

What is it like to be the first District 12 team to reach the Class AAA state championship?

Answer: This is awesome. I can't even describe it . . . I'm so excited right now.

Q:

What does it say about Wood's program?

A: It just means so much to the program. We just have to take home a state championship.

Q:

What has to happen for that to come true?

A: I guess play good defense again like we did against [Selinsgrove]. They are a great team. And I guess we have to put up some points on offense.

Q:

Can you sum up what the first season as a PIAA member has been like?

A: It's been great. The defense has been awesome and just putting us in great positions.

Three things about last week

1.

A match to remember: Kensington earned its first wrestling victory in three seasons when it defeated Franklin Towne Charter, 48-24, in a Public League match Friday.

2.

Congratulations to Dan Dougherty. The Episcopal Academy boys' basketball coach nabbed his 600th career victory Tuesday with a 43-41 victory over Abington Friends. Dougherty has compiled a 600-258 record over a 35-year career.

3.

A reunion. It was coach vs. former player when St. Joseph's Prep defeated Penn Charter, 58-55, in basketball o Friday. Hawks coach Speedy Morris coached Quakers assistant Zane Major at Roman Catholic in 1974 and '75. Morris also coached Adrian Moody at Roman in 1973 and '74. Moody's son, Dylan Moody, is a junior guard for Penn Charter.

Three things about this week

1.

The Catholic League will be well-represented in Hershey: Archbishop Wood faces Thomas Jefferson in Friday's Class AAA title game. On Saturday at the same place, West Catholic takes on Wilmington (from Lawrence County) in the 1 p.m. Class AA final.

2.

A must-see boys' basketball game: The Inquirer's sixth-ranked Imhotep Charter entertains fifth-ranked North Catholic in Friday's 5:30 p.m. contest.

3.

Run, Ben Furcht, Run. The Lower Merion senior will compete in Saturday's Foot Locker Cross-Country Championships, a national meet in San Diego.

Pompey's Super Seven

Here are the top seven fall teams in Southeastern Pennsylvania, regardless of sport:

1.

Downingtown West boys' soccer.

The Class AAA state champion Whippets are ranked ninth nationally in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas rankings.

2.

North Penn boys' cross-country.

The Class AAA state champion Knights are ranked 10th in the latest Harrier Super 25 national rankings.

3.

Merion Mercy girls' volleyball.

The Class AA state champion Golden Bears are ranked 21st nationally by Prepvolleyball.com.

4.

North Penn football.

The District 1 Class AAAA champions Knights are ranked 11th in the nation. Their season ended with a 21-14 semifinal loss to Bethlehem Liberty.

5.

Malvern Prep football.

The Inter-Ac League champion Friars scored 42 or more points on seven occasions.

6.

Germantown Academy girls' soccer.

The Inter-Ac champion Patriots are ranked 21st nationally in the NSCAA/Adidas rankings.

7.

Friends' Central girls' tennis.

The Phoenix finished 15-0 en route to winning their sixth Friends Schools League title in seven seasons.

Under consideration:

Avon Grove girls' volleyball, Conestoga girls' soccer, Merion Mercy field hockey, Neshaminy boys' soccer, Neshaminy football, Villa Maria field hockey and West Catholic football.