Avonworth shuts out Central Valley to win WPIAL Class 3A championship
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Saturday, November 23, 2024 | 7:14 PM
Avonworth’s Nico Neal hoists the WPIAL championship trophy with his teammates after defeating Central Valley in the Class 3A final on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Nico Neal carries through the Central Valley defense during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Luca Neal carries against Central Valley’s Jaiden Underwood during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Justin Beck celebrates a sack against Central Valley during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth quarterback Carson Bellinger throws a pass against Central Valley during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Jackson Krul catches a long pass in front of Central Valley’s Jaiden Underwood during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Nico Neal carries past Central Valley defenders during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Nico Neal celebrates his second touchdown against Central Valley during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth head coach Duke Joncour celebrates as time expires in the WPIAL Class 3A championship game against Central Valley on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Justin Beck (left) and Billy Onyshko celebrate with head coach Duke Joncour after defeating Central Valley in the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Justin Beck celebrates a tackle for loss against Central Valley during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Mason Metz sacks Central Valley quarterback Steven Rutherford during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Nico Neal carries past Central Valley defenders during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
The Avonworth football team celebrates after dfeating Central Valley in the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Nico Neal carries against Central Valley during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Central Valley’s Jaiden Underwood carries against Avonworth’s Cooper Scharding during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth senior running back Nico Neal was itching to have one more opportunity to play at Acrisure Stadium. After two years of being champions in waiting, the fifth-seeded Antelopes battered down the door during a 17-0 win over Central Valley in the WPIAL Class 3A title game Saturday evening.
Neal finished with a game-high 102 rushing yards and scored twice.
“We weren’t blinded by the lights anymore,” Neal said. “We came in, all did our job and dominated.”
Avonworth won its third WPIAL championship in school history and first since claiming the Class 2A title in 2019. The Antelopes lost to Belle Vernon in the championship game the previous two seasons.
Avonworth was shut out by the Leopards in the title game last season.
“This is our first shutout all year,” Antelopes coach Duke Johncour said. “To pitch it here is pretty special. The defense played lights out, and the offense moved the ball enough times to put points on the board.”
The Antelopes (11-3) saw things clearly from the start of the game. Cooper Scharding found a path along the sideline and returned the opening kickoff 51 yards to the Warriors’ 42-yard line.
Avonworth then marched 42 yards in 10 plays, including eight carries from Neal. Neal’s final carry of the drive was a 3-yard touchdown run with 6 minutes, 12 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Antelopes never loosened their grip on Central Valley (7-6). During the first half, the Warriors had three of their possessions end on downs.
Central Valley attempted a fake punt that failed, while the Antelopes’ defense stacked up the Warriors twice on fourth-and-1. Avonworth defensive lineman Justin Beck, who finished with two sacks, said they were determined to win the physical battle.
“The heavy sets were working all through the playoffs,” Beck said. “We knew what was coming. We had personnel changes come in, and it was head to head football. We stuck them twice on fourth and 1 and that tells the story.”
Warriors coach Mark Lyons said how the Warriors’ defense played made him more willing to take chances. Avonworth only finished with a 174-160 edge in total yards.
“Especially when possessions come at a premium in a game like this,” Lyons said. “When you have multiple possessions, you have to hit when you have that opportunity. We started getting confidence in our defensive guys, the guys came to our sideline and you could see that they had figured out (Avonworth) weren’t going to run against us.”
Although Central Valley figured things out defensively, the offense never did. Mason Dixon led the Warriors with 33 yards rushing. Central Valley quarterback Steve Rutherford finished with 109 passing yards.
Central Valley only had one drive that went into Avonworth territory.
“Their defensive front poses some problems,” Lyons said. “They challenge you in situations. We didn’t get enough snaps to get a rhythm to our game. When you get a couple of three and outs, you don’t get in rhythm and get them on our toes.”
Central Valley, which was seeded second, gave the Antelopes good field position to start their second drive. A fake punt attempt fell incomplete, and Avonworth cashed in for a 31-yard field goal by Calder Mahan.
Both defenses took over after that. Neither team scored until Neal scored his second touchdown on a 3-yard run with 4:23 remaining.
Avonworth learned from its previous failures. Once the Antelopes got ahead, they would do whatever it took to hold on.
“You aren’t comfortable up 10-0,” Johncour said. “Don’t make mistakes, don’t turn the ball over, status quo. That’s the recipe. That was a great football team we beat.”
Tags: Avonworth, Central Valley
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