No. 8 Freeport aims to dethrone defending champion Avonworth

By: Antonio Rossetti
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 4:35 PM

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For the second time in their century-long histories, No. 8 Freeport and No. 1 Avonworth will face off in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals Friday at Lentzner Field.

Freeport is looking to dethrone the defending WPIAL champion Antelopes and secure a spot in the WPIAL semifinals.

The Yellowjackets advanced to the second round after defeating No. 9 Beaver, 35-27, in a game that featured two lead changes and three ties. Running back Amos Glenn sparked Freeport with a 56-yard punt return that put them up 28-21.

“That was huge for us,” Gaillot said. “The boys played well. It was just back and forth, and it came down to us getting a couple first downs and then running out the clock. It’s just a really good win for our program.”

Dawson Gaillot put the game out of reach with a 45-yard touchdown run. The Yellowjackets (8-3) quickly turned their attention to the undefeated Antelopes (10-0).

“They’re just very talented, big and strong up front,” coach Gaillot said. “They are very well-coached. We played them a few years ago. They definitely stepped up their program with all their strength and everything, and they have had their time to shine this year, but we’re going to do everything we possibly can to beat them.”

The Lopes have held opponents to under double digits six times, outscoring their competition 405-90.

“If we beat them, that’s our Super Bowl,” Gaillot said. “We played them tough years ago, but we came up a little bit short. But just watching them on film, they’re so well-coached and they just have so many different weapons.”

Some of those weapons include running back/wide receiver Luca Neal, who has 810 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 276 yards and three scores on the ground.

Receiving threat Jaden Jones has 539 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Dimitri Velisaris compiled more than 1,000 rushing yards this season. Quarterback Carson Bellinger has thrown for 1,724 yards with 24 touchdowns and one interception.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a lot of guys step up throughout the season, and they’re playing at a high level,” Avonworth coach Duke Johncour said. “We have a lot of weapons on offense that I think we’re pretty hard to defend.”

Johncour is 129-41 as coach over 15 seasons and has guided the Antelopes to two WPIAL titles in addition to runner-up finishes in 2022 and ’23.

Johncour commended and named every skill player who makes an impact, and that list is long. He said they will use their physical and strong line, led by Navy commit Peter Bonnet, to their advantage.

“As football seasons wear on, that’s where playoff games are often won: in the trenches, due to weather and wind and temperature,” Johncour said. “If you have an O-line that can control the line of scrimmage and a D-line that can control the line of scrimmage, then that’s an advantage to you.”

Avonworth ran for 290 yards in a 49-7 win over Beaver in the regular-season finale and had a bye last week. Late in the season, the Lopes relied on Neal, who ran for 223 yards, and Velisaris, who ran for 148 yards, in a 42-10 victory over North Catholic.

The Antelopes only surrendered 17 points in their last three games.

Nevertheless, Freeport is prepared for the challenge. Glenn leads the hive of Yellowjackets as he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards with 18 rushing touchdowns this season. Quarterback Drew Ross has tossed eight touchdowns and thrown for 774 yards, despite missing four games.

Gaillot, in his 18th year as coach, helped break the A-K Valley record for playoff appearances with 34. He has been in the playoffs before and trusts in his offense’s ability.

“You just have to find somebody who is spying on them,” Gaillot said of Glenn and Ross. “I know a lot of them do, but we still find cracks that they can get through. They just hate to lose. They’ll do everything they possibly can to win.”

The Yellowjackets have faced adversity already with injuries, including Ross missing some time. Now they have a chance against the classification’s top team in Avonworth, which boasts victories over Class 4A semifinalists Thomas Jefferson and Aliquippa.

“They did a great job,” Gaillot said of his team. “They were resilient. We lost our quarterback for four weeks, and that hurts. But he’s back now, and with Amos Glenn running the ball, we have a really dynamic type of team here.”

Johncour and the Lopes also proved to be resilient. Avonworth lost to Northwestern Lehigh, 36-33, in the PIAA final last season but used the loss as motivation to earn the No. 1 seed and homefield advantage in the WPIAL playoffs. The Lopes don’t want to lose on their home field.

“I told the seniors that already,” Johncour said. “This is your last game on this field. As a senior, this is your last go-round. Make the most of it. There’s some motivation there knowing that this is their last home game. It could be their last game.”

The Yellowjackets finished celebrating their first-round win as soon as Friday’s game ended. Now, they’re ready to sting the Lopes.

“The next day, we flush it, and that game is over with,” Gaillot said. “You can look back later and see what you did, but you have to focus on the next game. We’re banged up on both sides, but we’ll be ready.”

After a week of rest, the Lopes are eager to get back on the field.

Johncour said: “Anytime you get a home game and it’s the playoffs and it’s in November, what more is there not to like about that in Western Pennsylvania?”

Tags: Avonworth, Freeport