Archbishop Wood rumbles past previously unbeaten Archbishop Ryan

Connor Bishop's work ethic, competitive drive, and rock-solid blocking will serve him well when he moves on from Archbishop Wood and plays for Army.

The senior's efforts on both sides of the line were key in the Vikings' 27-7 triumph over previously undefeated Archbishop Ryan in Saturday afternoon's Catholic League Red Division contest at George Washington.

"They were coming in on a roll, and we knew they were gunning for us," Bishop said. "We wanted to be aggressive, match their intensity, and grind out a victory."

>> PHOTO GALLERY: Archbishop Wood 27, Archbishop Ryan 7

The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder shined at tackle as the visitors totaled 344 yards and three touchdowns on 41 rushing attempts.

"There's a reason Connor is going to continue his career at Army," Wood first-year coach Kyle Adkins said. "He's physical, tough, and goes hard on every play. He's the total package."

Bishop, a third-year starter on offense, has squatted 500 pounds, power-cleaned and dead-lifted 335, and bench-pressed 330. The 17-year-old from Richboro, who registered a second-quarter sack, committed to Army in the spring.

"Football had a huge part in my decision," he said. "The other thing was the academics, the tight-knit community, and the connections you'll make at Army that will help you out later in life."

Vikings senior fullback Leroy Pendleton burst through the middle for a 70-yard score on the game's third play from scrimmage.

The workhorse for Wood (4-2 overall, 2-0 division) was junior halfback Tom Santiago. The 5-11, 185-pounder carried 31 times for 251 yards and a pair of scores.

"He's fast, he's hard to bring down, and he can take a pounding," Bishop said. "He's a lot like the running backs we've had in the past."

After the Raiders (6-1, 1-1) gained a 7-6 edge in the first quarter on electrifying sophomore Tyreek Chappell's 30-yard catch, Wood responded two plays later with Santiago's 76-yard TD jaunt.

Santiago's 15-yard dart put the Vikings in front, 19-7, in the fourth stanza. Quarterback Jake Ross' 26-yard toss to wide-open tight end Bill Cook with 2 1/2 minutes to play closed the deal.

Along with Bishop and Cook, tackles John Prieto and Sean Buck, guards Brett Gross and Nick Vitelli, and center Luke Stengel led the charge up front. Bishop, Gross, and Stengel are returning starters.

Wood's defense limited Ryan, which came in averaging 41.3 points per game, to 35 rushing yards on 30 tries.

Archbishop Wood 13 0 6 8 — 27

Archbishop Ryan 7 0 0 0 — 7

AW: Leroy Pendleton 70 run (kick failed)

AR: Tyreek Chappell 30 pass from Jahlil Sanders (Gavin Dionisio kick)

AW: Tom Santiago 76 run (Bob Hennessey kick)

AW: Santiago 15 run (run failed)

AW: Bill Cook 26 pass from Jake Ross (Santiago run)