By Tim Mastro

NEWARK — The record books will show Woodbridge High lost only one game this football season.

But it was a loss that hurts more than the usual defeat.

The Blue Raiders came up short in their quest for the Class 2A state championship as their offense was stymied by Archmere Academy on Saturday.

The top-seeded Auks shut out Woodbridge, 27-0, at Delaware Stadium to earn their first football state title since 1982. Both teams entered unbeaten but it was Archmere that controlled the game, holding the second-seeded Blue Raiders to just 107 offensive yards and seven first downs.

“We got beat up front on both sides of the football and at the end of the day that’s where football’s won and lost,” said first-year Woodbridge coach Marvin Dooley. “They did a good job. We came in, I thought we matched up decent.

“But give their coaches credit. They did about what we thought they’d do. We just didn’t get it done. I thought we struggled in all phases and that was because of them. I thought we were ready. The kids responded all year, but they were the better team today.”

Woodbridge ended its season at 12-1 overall. The Blue Raiders were trying to win their third state title since 2016. It was their fourth time in the championship game after winning in 2016 and 2018 while finishing as runner-ups in 2019.

“I feel bad for my seniors,” Dooley said. “We overcame a lot this year. If you told me back in August we would be in the state finals undefeated, I would have taken that. So I think we had a great season. It just hurts when you lose in the end. But I’d rather lose here than not be here.”

Archmere (13-0) was paced by a pair of rushing touchdowns by Declan Pearson (17 carries-91 yards) while quarterback Chris Albero (13-55 yards) and Johnny Kim (four carries-100 yards) added one score apiece.

Both of Pearson’s touchdowns came in the first quarter as the Auks led 13-0 at halftime. Woodbridge only earned two first downs in the first half.

The Blue Raiders did mount a rally to start the third quarter but were turned away by the Archmere defense.

Woodbridge went to its power run-game to open the second half, shifting into its earthquake formation. It worked as senior running back Kenny Newton carried the Blue Raiders into the red zone for the first time.

But Woodbridge came up short on a fourth down and four situation at the Archmere eight, turning the ball over on downs. The Blue Raiders soon had another chance as Wyatt Wright forced an Auks’ turnover, knocking the ball into the air on a hard tackle. Woodbridge’s Khelei Tillman grabbed the loose ball to give the Raiders possession once again at the Archmere 27.

But once again, the Blue Raiders could not convert on fourth down inside the Archmere 10-yard line. This time they came up short on a fourth-and-three situation at the Auks’ seven, one yard away from a first down after a rush by Wright.

Newton carried the ball 24 times for 93 yards and was held out of the end zone for only the third time in 13 games this season.

“Our defense has been fantastic all year,” said Archmere coach John Bellace. “We’ve played some really good offenses. Kenny Newton is an incredible runner and has been all year.

“Our message all week is, we can’t give him extra yards,” Bellace added. “He’s going to get some here and there. We’ve got to bring our feet and make sure we wrap up on him. He’s just too good at finding the extra bit. I thought if our defense played the way they did recently we’d be up to doing the job.”

Four plays after the second Woodbridge turnover on downs, Kim sealed it for the Auks, breaking off an 81-yard touchdown run. Albero, Archmere’s do-everything quarterback, safety and kicker, added some insurance in the fourth quarter on a six-yard rushing touchdown.