This has been a dominant football season for Avonworth.
The Antelopes have won all 14 games they have played by an average score of 41-9, they won the tough and deep Western Hills Conference, and they repeated as WPIAL Class 3A champions.
The closest margin of victory has been 16 points twice, once in the regular season when they defeated eventual Class 4A district champion Aliquippa, 23-7, and then in the PIAA semifinals when they eliminated District 6 champion Penn Cambria, 31-15.
The one obstacle remaining is a Northwestern Lehigh team in the PIAA Class 3A championship game at Cumberland Valley at 1 p.m. Saturday.
It is the same Tigers team that broke the Antelopes’ hearts a year ago in the state title game, winning 36-33 in overtime.
It was a result that helped fuel the Avonworth fire as the season went on.
“We didn’t try to focus on that loss heading into the new season, but it was definitely in the back of our minds,” Avonworth senior wide receiver and outside linebacker Luca Neal said. “Losing last year kind of set the standard that we won’t settle for anything less than a state title.”
The Antelopes will meet a Northwestern Lehigh program that has won four straight District 11 championships, is appearing in its third straight PIAA 3A title game and is trying to repeat as state champions.
The Tigers have won 31 consecutive games and last tasted defeat in a 2023 PIAA finals loss to Belle Vernon, 38-7.
Northwestern Lehigh has been explosive offensively this season. In 15 games, the Tigers have been held to under 40 points three times.
Those totals were 34 points in a Week 3 win over Class 4A Blue Mountain, 36 points in a Week 9 victory over Class 4A state finalist Southern Lehigh, and 35 points in the District 11 title game against previously undefeated Notre Dame-Green Pond.
“The key is to minimize the big play and make sure we are gap sound across the front,” Avonworth coach Duke Johncour said when asked about trying to slow down this Tigers offense.
The defending PIAA Class 3A champions have been led by senior quarterback Shane Leh. In two state playoff wins, the Marist commit has connected on 27 of 31 attempts for 417 yards and eight touchdowns.
“Shane Leh is playing great and has played well all season,” Johncour said. “He is accurate, makes great decisions and is really good at play action.”
The Tigers can also attack on the ground with senior running back Braxton Lakatosh. Last week in the win over Camp Hill Trinity, he ran for 158 yards and three touchdowns.
However, not many teams are as dynamic in what they do on offense as Avonworth.
The Antelopes can run the ball out of a pro-style set with junior running back Dimitri Velisaris, who has rushed for 1,492 yards and a team-high 24 touchdowns, they can throw, with senior quarterback Carson Bellinger connecting on 104 of 153 attempts this season for 2,280 yards and 29 scoring passes, or they can run Neal from a wildcat formation.
“We have been able to run multiple sets all season, and I would not want to prepare for us,” Johncour said. “We have multiple weapons that are hard to defend.”
All of those weapons were on full display last week in the state semifinal win over Penn Cambria when Bellinger threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns and Neal had three receptions for 115 yards and a score and 141 rushing yards and two TDs.
“Big-time players shine on big-time stages, and they both showed up to play last Friday,” Johncour said. “Carson was extremely efficient and had some huge throws. Luca is a talented running back and wide receiver and makes plays wherever we put him.”
A year ago, Neal led the Antelopes in receiving (26 catches for 489 yards) and also in rushing (135 carries for 1,018 yards). However, coming into the PIAA finals, Neal has only carried the ball 53 times for 664 yards.
“I do feel fresher this year,” Neal said. “Having more athletes across the board makes us very dangerous and hard to defend. It takes a load off everyone, and it’s relieving to know we have kids who can make plays all over the field.”
There is little separating these two 3A powers as they prepare to clash for state gold again.
“We need to minimize mistakes and penalties and not let up the big play,” Johncour said. “Penalties, turnovers and special teams will be the difference in this game.”
The sequel might not necessarily live up to the magic of the first meeting between Northwestern Lehigh and Avonworth last December, but the electricity is there for Tiers-Antelopes II, according to Neal.
“I’m very excited to see Northwestern Lehigh in the rematch,” Neal said. “I think our main focus is doing our jobs and staying level headed. Big plays will happen, and we just need to not ride the wave of emotions, do our jobs and play good defense.”