HERSHEY — When Steve Devlin decided to throw his name in the hat for new head football coach at Archbishop Wood seven years ago, he did so with excitement for an opportunity, and eagerness to build and a vision to dominate Philadelphia Catholic League football.
When he sat down with athletic director Joe Sette he sold him on what he could bring to the Vikings.
“I just wanted to be a competitive football team,” Devlin said. “I wanted a team the school and the community to be proud of and I wanted to play hard every game. I wanted to give it our best shot.”
Devlin has given it his best shot all right. He was not sure how long it would take to put Warminster on the map, but he knew it could happen.
Friday night, the vision continued to play out on the football field. The Vikings’ 33-14 win over Central Valley was Devlin’s third PIAA AAA championship and the school’s second straight title. Hersheypark Stadium was the vision seven years ago. It was the dream when this season started, and with a incredible defensive performance, it was all a reality.
“Back-to-back is awesome,” Devlin said. “These guys put in the work every week. I am so proud of them.”
It was run the ball and stop the run. The Vikings did not disguise who was getting the ball. Running back Jarrett McClenton capped off his senior season with four rushing touchdowns and 226 yards. The District 7 champions and previously unbeaten Warriors were held to 146 rushing yards, 55 coming one on play. McClenton scored twice from 12 yards out in the first quarter and his 51-yard touchdown run gave the Vikings the cushion they needed heading into the fourth quarter.
“As soon as Jarrett scored his fourth touchdown we knew all we had to do was stop the pass,” senior linebacker and captain Jake Cooper said. “To win a state title as a senior is such a tremendous reward.”
It was not so easy to raise the trophy as the Warriors made adjustments on defense and hung on to hope at halftime only trailing 12-7 after a 48 yard interception return for a touchdown by Brian Wilson as time expired. The Vikings brushed off the blunder and controlled the clock in the second half. They set a new record for rushing yards in a Class AAA title game.
“I love blocking for Jarrett,” senior lineman Ryan Bates said. “A little hole and he hits it and makes people miss. And Alex (Arcangeli), one of the hardest runners I have ever met. He came from Bensalem this year and it was the best choice he could have made.”
The Vikings did not throw a pass in the second half as junior quarterback Anthony Russo was intercepted twice. McClenton and fullback Arcangeli were going to have to move the chains, and while they did, that did not mean the Warriors were going down without swinging.
“We are about making plays,” Devlin said. “We tried something, it did not work out, but we shut them down in the second half. Defense won the game for us.”
“We played Wood football,” Cooper said. “We have a fast group of kids and we are physical. We blow up schemes.”
Central Valley regained some momentum early in the fourth quarter after a 55-yard burst from Kurt Reinstadtler, but the Vikings never lost its composure, which is a lot easier with the combo of Arcangeli and McClenton in the backfield. Their ability to overcome the Warriors’ relentless pursuit is the sign of a true champion. And the taste and smell of victory in Hershey never gets old.
“We worked so hard and it is such a great feeling,” Bates said. “I am emotional every game. We took it quarter by quarter, half by half. That was one of the best defenses we have seen, but we love a good challenge.”
