Avonworth dominates battle of unbeatens, drops Imani Christian for WPIAL Class 3A title
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Saturday, November 22, 2025 | 8:18 PM
Avonworth’s Luca Neal hoists the WPIAL championship trophy after the Antelopes defeated Imani Christian in the Class 3A final on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Luca Neal celebrates a long run next to Imani Christian’s Gabe Jenkins during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Romello Harris celebrates his pick-six against Imani Christian with Bryce Metz during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Jaden Jones intercepts a pass for a pick-6 against Imani Christian during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Jaden Jones returns an interception for a pick-6 against Imani Christian during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Jaden Jones (6) is mobbed by Romello Harris and Luca Neal after his pick-6 against Imani Christian during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Jaden Jones catches a touchdown pass in front of Imani Christian defenders during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Luca Neal carries past Imani Christian’s Robert Torres-Johnson during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Luca Neal celebrates with coach Duke Johncour after scoring against Imani Christian during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth head coach Duke Johncour reacts on the sideline during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game against Imani Christian on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
The Avonworth football team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating Imani Christian in the Class3A final on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Luca Neal hoists the WPIAL championship trophy next to Carson Bellinger and Jackson Krul after defeating Imani Christian in the Class 3A final on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Jaden Jones intercepts a pass for a pick-6 against Imani Christian during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium.
Avonworth’s Romello Harris celebrates his pick-six against Imani Christian with teammates during the WPIAL Class 3A championship game Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
The WPIAL Class 3A football championship was considered the marquee matchup among four games Saturday because both high-scoring teams came in undefeated.
It had the makings of a classic.
That’s what it was — a classic blowout.
Behind a defense that produced four interceptions, top-seeded Avonworth made it back-to-back championships with a 30-6 victory over No. 2 Imani Christian at Acrisure Stadium.
The Antelopes (13-0), who now have four WPIAL titles, returned two interceptions for touchdowns, and the jaws of their defense closed around the Saints (12-1), who came in averaging 48.5 points.
“This is our fourth year here, and our kids are hungry,” Avonworth coach Duke Johncour said. “Our guys were like horses in a stable all week. They wanted to be let loose.”
Luca Neal ran for 105 yards and a touchdown, and Carson Bellinger completed 4 of 5 passes for 100 yards and a score to lead the Antelopes.
Jaden Jones scored two touchdowns in the win, on a pick-six and a reception.
Imani Christian has never won a WPIAL title.
Avonworth, which averages 41.5 points, also beat the Saints in the semifinals last year, 14-6.
The Antelopes, in the finals for the fourth straight year, beat Central Valley in last year’s championship, 17-0.
This matchup wasn’t nearly as close as the Antelopes put their foot down early, limiting the Saints’ playmakers.
“I am proud of our players for getting to this game,” Imani Christian coach LaRoi Johnson said. “This program has come a long way. My family didn’t raise me to be a second-place guy. This doesn’t sit well. We didn’t get it done. It was bad execution on our part.”
Avonworth made noise defensively early.
Romello Harris jumped in front of a screen pass and put the Antelopes on the board, returning a pick-six 10 yards for a 7-0 lead with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Calder Mahan made it 10-0 early in the second quarter with a 39-yard field goal.
“We feel like (Acrisure Stadium) is like a second home to us,” said Avonworth lineman Peter Bonnet, a Navy commit. “We knew if we played our game, we would be fine.”
While the defense continued to hold its ground, the Antelopes went ahead 17-0 on the biggest play of the half.
Neal found space up the middle and sprinted 67 yards inside a minute left in the first half.
“This team is so unselfish,” Neal said. “We play for each other.”
Imani Christian was limited to 62 yards — seven passing — in the first half.
Another splash play early in the second half put the Antelopes in complete control.
Jones picked off Jenkins near midfield and bounced outside for a 45-return score for a 24-0 lead.
Jenkins, who recently decommitted from Penn State, finished 5 of 20 passing for 118 yards. He had a WPIAL-best 29 TD passes this season.
The Saints were mostly one-dimensional, expecially early when the Antelopes were building their lead.
“We thought if we could get (Jenkins) to play QB,” Johncour said, “it would work in our favor.”
Jones then came up big on offense when he pulled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Bellinger over the top with 4:59 left in the third to make it 30-0.
Gavin McDowell and Jack Crawford also had picks for the Antelopes.
Imani Christian broke up the shutout early in the fourth quarter when Jenkins scored on a short run.
David Davis, a North Carolina commit, had a 54-yard catch. Mikal Hall added a 53-yard grab for Imani.
Maurice Williams had a game-high 11 tackles for the Saints.
Evan Loutzenhiser, McDowell and Harris all had nine for the Avonworth.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Avonworth, Imani Christian
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