Despite down season Archbishop Wood has the talent to rebound

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's safe to say that over the last decade, the Archbishop Wood Vikings out of Warminster have been one of the more consistent programs in the Philadelphia Catholic League and Pennsylvania as a whole. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over that time from it produced talents such as Robert Jackson, Solomanie Bambara, Connor Bishop, Kyle Pitts, Tommy Walsh, Nasir Peoples, Raheem Blackshear, Mark Webb, Anthony Russo, Jake Cooper, and Ryan Bates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a program that has consistently pumped out elite-level talent and has seen elite-level success on the field because of that talent. Unfortunately for the Vikings, After seeing many of their top talents move onto the college ranks in the last two years, there were growing pains for the program in 2022. To make matters tougher for the program, they had a difficult schedule from start to finish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The program also saw a coaching change for the second time in five years as head coach Matt Walp stepped down, paving the way for David Armstrong to take over as the head coach of the Vikings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His first season with the Vikings did not go to plan it's probably safe to say but the future in Warminster is still quite bright thanks to plenty of talent throughout the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Schedule</strong>/<strong>Results</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>September 9: </strong>21-3 loss to Malvern Prep<br><strong>September 16: </strong>14-6 win over Northeast<br><strong>September 23: </strong>35-11 win over Haverford<br><strong>October 1: </strong>35-6 loss to St. Joseph's Prep<br><strong>October 8: </strong>12-7 loss to Roman Catholic<br><strong>October 14: </strong>6-3 loss to La Salle College<br><strong>October 21: </strong>28-21 loss to Father Judge<br><strong>November 5: </strong>28-0 loss to Roman Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Notable class of 2023 Archibishop Wood prospects:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='27739' first='Eric' last='Gardner'] Jr - Army<br>TE [player_tooltip player_id='140949' first='Markus' last='Dixon'] - Clemson<br>OL [player_tooltip player_id='66058' first='Cole' last='Evans'] - Army<br>DB [player_tooltip player_id='248649' first='Ryan' last='Wilson'] - Undecided<br>DB [player_tooltip player_id='248345' first='Malachi' last='Generette'] - Undecided<br>DE Cameron Giscombe - Undecided<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Notable returnees for Archbishop Wood in 2023:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are just a few of the notable returnees we have chosen to highlight for Archbishop Wood in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63cef32b335f2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["377030"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The first year starter for the Vikings has quickly become one of the more sought out players in the Keystone State with many of the country's top programs battling it out for his services at the next level.rnrnHeywood has elite size at 6-foot-7 and 295-pounds with the athleticism to go along with it. Elite player from every meaning of the word and is one of the state's top prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["255089"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"An up-and-coming name to know in the class of 2025, Baldwin Jr has some promising traits and has flashed quite a few times on the field already.rnrnBaldwin possess quality size at 6-foot-0 and 235-pounds, playing both offensive guard and defensive tackle for the Vikings. He has quick feet and shows good upper body strength as well, allowing him to hold his own on the offensive line while allowing him to fight his way into opposing backfields from the defensive line.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["599450"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"We need more tape on Lowry to get a better idea of where he is in his development but what we've seen so far out of him, we do like.rnrnHis 6-foot-0, 200+ frame is a good start for the linebacker and he shows decent athleticism that allows him to play sideline to sideline as well. Good fundamentals help make up for any physical traits in which he lacks.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63cef32b336c7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1077219' first='Joseph' last='Johnson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Archbishop Wood","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"At 6-foot-0 and 175-pounds, Johnson is more likely to be a linebacker than a defensive end at the next level. That being said, the 2025 recruit in his limited tape available shows a nice first step and burst, if he can be consistent with it, he could become a nice defensive weapon for the Vikings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["599053"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Mawson has shown flashes throughout his HUDL tape but will need to be more consistent going forward. He possess good size at 6-foot-0 and 170-pounds with the chance to grow another few inches the next few years as well.rnrnWhat immediately stands out off his tape is his athleticism, he's got good mobility that allows him to extend plays, roll out of the pocket, or take off in attempt to pickup valuable yardage. With that, he shows the ability to throw on the run quite well as well. His arm strength is satisfactory, he would likely benefit from more zip on the ball but for an underclassman it's still very solid.rnrnOverall, Mawson possesses several quality traits and shows premium upside, but as said above, consistency will be key.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63cef32b337c1"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>2023 Early Outlook: </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Archbishop Wood has a chance to take a step forward in 2023. If they do take a step forward, they'll need to see the biggest improvements come offensively. The Vikings struggled to move the ball on opponents all season, mustering just 65 points. If they can take that step forward, they have the defense to compete in the PCL in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additionally, we have no doubt that Wood's coaching staff will be able to turn it around this offseason and turn in a much-improved team in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->