Avonworth takes to the air to soar past Northwestern Lehigh in PIAA championship rematch

By: Chris Harlan
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 4:13 PM

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MECHANICSBURG — Avonworth quarterback Carson Bellinger was little-used in last year’s state finals, but the senior needed one throw Saturday to prove this time would be different.

Bellinger tossed a 53-yard touchdown pass to star sophomore Jaden Jones on the Antelopes’ first snap, and more long completions led to four more scoring drives as Avonworth defeated Northwestern Lehigh, 31-7, in the PIAA Class 3A final at Cumberland Valley.

The state title was the first for Avonworth (15-0) in three tries.

This was a rematch of last year’s championship game that Northwestern Lehigh won 36-33 in overtime. Avonworth’s Luca Neal rushed for three touchdowns in the win after scoring four times last year. But what Avonworth’s offense lacked a year ago was a complementary passing game.

Bellinger provided that this year by completing his first eight passes for 211 yards and a touchdown. As a junior, Bellinger completed 1 of 3 passes for 14 yards in the state finals.

His top target Saturday was Jones, a sophomore who finished with seven catches for 187 yards, almost all on deep throws.

Neal rushed for 123 yards on 21 carries and scored on runs of 8, 9 and 8 yards. He scored twice in the first half as Avonworth built a 24-7 halftime lead.

The win snapped a 31-game winning streak for District 11 champion Northwestern Lehigh (15-1), which hadn’t lost a game since the 2023 state finals.

This story will be updated.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Avonworth