Vikings

HERSHEY, Pa. - The Archbishop Wood girls' soccer team had plenty of experience with trailing by a goal. So when they found themselves in that predicament in the PIAA Class AA state final, the Vikings didn't panic. It was just like the first-round game against Villa Joseph Marie, they thought, a game the Vikings rallied to win in overtime. On Saturday afternoon, however, at Hersheypark Stadium, Wood couldn't find the equalizer and lost to Moon, 1-0. "I thought we would get it. We are usually down in the first half of games, and most times we end up coming back," junior back Katherine Hennessey said.

Eastern field hockey coach Danyle Heilig celebrated her 300th career victory in front of friends and family on Wednesday, when the host Vikings plundered Paul VI, 10-0, in an Olympic Conference match. "It's exciting, but the kids were more excited about it than I was," Heilig said of reaching the milestone. "But I've never been one to concern myself with things like that. I look at it more as an accomplishment for our program than for me. And I'm proud of what we've been able to do over the years.

The Eastern football team just can't seem to lose to Cherry Hill East. Ryan Delaney and Gino Dugan returned blocked punts for touchdowns Saturday, and the Vikings overcame a 14-point, first-quarter deficit to defeat East for the 20th consecutive time since 1994, 31-20. Tom Flacco threw two touchdown passes, and Ed Kehoe kicked a 22-yard field goal for Eastern, which won the WJFL American Division game despite finishing with negative rushing yards. Cherry Hill East led by 14-0 and 20-7 before the Vikings (2-1 overall, 2-0 league)

For North Penn, next in line in murderer's row is defending PIAA Class AAA state champion Archbishop Wood. The Knights, ranked No. 4 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, are coming off a 20-7 loss to top-ranked La Salle. They will face No. 3 Wood at 7 p.m. Saturday at William Tennent. No. 9 St. Joseph's Prep awaits in Week 3. The Vikings, who come in with a 15-game win streak, are looking to build on an opening 44-7 romp over Bensalem. Here is a closer look at the North Penn-Wood showdown.

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - Atlantic City looked finished. Even its coach had his doubts. Sure, this has happened before in their incredible two-year run, but nothing suggested that with the Vikings down by 19 points in the third quarter of Wednesday night's Tournament of Champions boys' basketball quarterfinals that this season would be extended. Yet Atlantic City, two-time state Group 4 champion, is still standing - and standing proudly. The comeback took some time and then needed even more time, but finally after two exhausting overtimes, Atlantic City defeated state Group 1 champion Point Pleasant Beach, 80-73, at Toms River North's Pine Belt Arena, earning the chance to play another day. Losing can be quite a motivator.

DONOVAN MCNABB has a message for all those who think he doesn't work hard enough. "Come to Minnesota. Pack up your big jacket and your headwear and come watch me," he told NFL Network's Andrea Kremer in an interview that aired yesterday. McNabb, who told Kremer he should "absolutely" still be the Vikings starting quarterback, was replaced by rookie Christian Ponder after leading the team to a 1-5 record. Soon afterward, NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, citing sources, reported McNabb had questionable work habits while with the Vikings, the Redskins and the Eagles.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - On the road, again. From behind, again. With defense and depth and dogged determination, again. Atlantic City won the second state title in the history of the program on Sunday, rallying for a 53-47 victory over North Jersey power Elizabeth in the Group 4 championship game at Rutgers University. Junior center Jahleem Reynolds collected 15 points and 12 rebounds, and junior swingman Dayshawn Reynolds added 10 points as Atlantic City (25-5) won its 10th in a row and 20th in its last 21 games.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - On the road, again. From behind, again. With defense and depth and dogged determination, again. Atlantic City won the second state boys' basketball title in the history of the program on Sunday, rallying for a 53-47 victory over North Jersey power Elizabeth in the Group 4 championship game at Rutgers University. Junior center Jahleem Reynolds collected 15 points and 12 rebounds, and junior swingman Dayshawn Reynolds added 10 points as Atlantic City (25-5)

CLEVELAND - Drexel made a loud case for a possible at-large NCAA tournament bid on Saturday, blowing out an unfamiliar foe on the road and further adding clout to the quality of its league. The Dragons (23-5), who extended their win streak to 15 by thumping Cleveland State, 69-49, in a nonconference ESPN Bracketbuster game, have dominated play in the Colonial Athletic Association over the last two months and are in first place with a 12-2 CAA mark. Despite having sent VCU (last year)

Playing goalie against the field hockey team that is ranked No. 1 in the nation, Alex Pecora knew she would be in the middle of the action. That was the good news. "No pressure, no fun," said Pecora, Bishop Eustace's standout senior. The bigger news on Monday night was that both goalies were busy as Bishop Eustace and Eastern, which is No. 1 in the topofthecircle.com national rankings, played a fast-paced game with lots of scoring chances at both ends of the field. Pecora, who is headed to Iowa on a scholarship, made 14 saves - including a spectacular diving deflection of a penalty stroke and several sliding stops.