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 his long completions later 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 erased a two-touchdown deficit in that game just to force OT, but this time the Antelopes never trailed thanks to their fast start.

“It was super important (because) we got the momentum,” said Jones, who broke a PIAA championship record with 187 receiving yards. “Our confidence went up.”

Avonworth senior Luca Neal rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns in this win after scoring four times in the finals last year. But what the Antelopes offense lacked a year ago was a complementary passing game.

Bellinger provided a spark this time 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.

“It was whatever we needed to do to win,” Bellinger said. “If I had to hand the ball off 35 times today and let Luca go, then that’s what it was. But with the looks they were giving us and the guys we have on our team, the passing game was what it was.”

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— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) December 6, 2025

Bellinger’s top target was Jones, who had seven catches, most of them on deeper throws. His longest grabs covered 53, 37, 36 and 30 yards, while Neal also had a 47-yard catch.

“When they got in trouble, they threw 50/50 balls up and their kids won 100% of them,” Northwestern Lehigh coach Josh Snyder said. “They’re supposed to be 50/50. We’re supposed to win half of them, but their kids made plays and extended drives.”

Just as important was that Avonworth’s defense kept pressure on Northwestern Lehigh quarterback Shane Leh. The senior completed 12 of 28 passes for 139 yards and one interception.

The District 11 champions were shut out for the final 41 minutes after a 2-yard touchdown run by Braxton Lakatosh in the first quarter.

“We decided to put in some scheme to put pressure on their quarterback and not give him the time back there,” Avonworth coach Duke Johncour said. “When he has time, he’s unbelievable. You saw that today. He was running for his life a little bit.”

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.

Along with last year’s runner-up finish, Avonworth also finished second in 2019.

“Days like this is what high school football is all about,” Johncour said. “A community team staying strong together and coming through and pulling out the state championship.”

Avonworth expected the passing game to be more active than a year ago and believed Jones might have chances to make some plays after watching film of Northwestern Lehigh’s defense.

“If I’m in single coverage and they don’t have a safety over top, we’re going to attack that,” Jones said. “We did, and we were very successful.”

A 6-foot-3 sophomore, Jones already has college offers from West Virginia and N.C. State.

“He’s special,” Bellinger said. “You saw it today. I can put it up in the air and he can go get it anywhere.”

Avonworth’s ground game was working, too, despite missing two running backs. Leading rusher Dimitri Velisaris sat out with an injury and junior Bryce Metz left injured in the first quarter.

Neal carried 21 times and scored on runs of 8, 9 and 8 yards. He reached the end zone twice in the first half as Avonworth built a 24-7 halftime lead.

Northwestern Lehigh answered Avonworth’s quick touchdown pass with an 11-play, 87-yard touchdown drive.

But the Antelopes scored on the next three possessions to reclaim the lead. A 47-yard pass to Neal set up his 8-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. On the next possession, a 36-yard pass to Jones set up Neal for a 9-yard TD run early in the third.

Calder Mahan capped Avonworth’s first-half scoring with a 21-yard field goal to lead 24-7. An 8-yard touchdown run by Neal in the fourth quarter were the only points in an otherwise scoreless second half.

“We’ve been saying this is the perfect story,” Neal said. “And this is the perfect ending.”

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.

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