WPIAL Class 3A football semifinal preview: Avonworth, Imani Christian look to stay undefeated

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 4:02 PM

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On one side of the WPIAL Class 3A playoff bracket, there are two old rivals colliding for a second time this season.

On the other side, two of the “newest” district football programs meet to add to their already successful resumes.

Two of the four remaining WPIAL undefeated teams are in the 3A semis.

Here is a look at the two Class 3A games on Final Four Friday.

No. 5 North Catholic (9-3) vs. Avonworth (11-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Newman Stadium at North Allegheny

Coaches: Chris Rizzo, North Catholic; Duke Johncour, Avonworth

On air: Video streamed on NFHS

How they got here: North Catholic finished in third place in the Western Hills Conference, defeated Burrell in the first round and stunned Elizabeth Forward in the quarterfinals. Avonworth won the Western Hills Conference championship to earn a first-round bye then crushed Freeport in the quarters last week.

Last week: Avonworth 56, Freeport 7; North Catholic 55, Elizabeth Forward 32

Winner plays: The winner will play the Central Valley/Imani Christian winner in the 3A championship game at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Acrisure Stadium.

Players to watch: Joey Felitsky, North Catholic (Sr., 6-1, 185, QB); Dimitri Velisaris, Avonworth (Jr., 5-7, 185, RB/DB)

Team notes

North Catholic: The Trojans reached the semifinals in 2024 only to see their season end with a loss at Elizabeth Forward. One year later, North Catholic reversed fortunes and kept their season alive by eliminating the Warriors at EF. Senior quarterback Joey Felitsky continues to dominate, connecting on 13 of his 15 passes for 263 yards and five touchdown tosses, three of which went to Ryker Kennedy with one each to Preston Simko and Jackson Schade. Will Waskiewicz scored on a 93-yard run for the Trojans.

Avonworth: Following a bye week, the Antelopes made short work of visiting Freeport with 14 points in the opening quarter followed by 28 points in the second to lead 42-0 at the half. Leading the way for Avonworth was junior running back Dimitri Velisaris, who rushed for 112 yards on only 10 carries and scored four touchdowns. The Undefeated ‘Lopes also got 63 yards rushing and a touchdown by Logan Krul, a scoring run by Luca Neal and a touchdown pass from Carson Bellinger.

Historic factoids

• This is the 24th meeting between North Catholic and Avonworth. The Antelopes hold a slight edge over the Trojans, 12-11, thanks to four straight wins in the series.

• These teams met four weeks ago with Avonworth beating North Catholic in a Western Hills Conference game, 42-10. The Antelopes led at the half, 28-0. Luca Neal had three touchdowns runs and caught a TD pass from Carson Bellinger for the ‘Lopes while Joey Felitsky hit Preston Simko for the lone Trojans score.

• This is the sixth time the schools will meet in the WPIAL playoffs. Avonworth won three times: in a 2008 Class A quarterfinal, 30-8; in a 2010 Class A quarterfinal, 17-3; and in a 2014 Class A semifinal, 28-21. North Catholic won in a 2013 Class A quarterfinal, 14-7; and in a 2021 Class 3A semifinal, 7-0.

• The teams met for the first time 21 years ago. In 2004, North Catholic defeated Avonworth, 20-14.

No. 3 Central Valley (7-4) vs. No. 2 Imani Christian (11-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium at Montour

Coaches: Mark Lyons, Central Valley; LaRoi Johnson, Imani Christian

On air: Video streamed on NFHS

How they got here: Central Valley finished in second place behind Avonworth in the Western Hills Conference, had a first-round bye and then eliminated Highlands in the quarterfinals. Imani Christian captured the Allegheny Seven Conference crown, also had an opening-round bye then rolled past Hopewell in the quarters.

Last week: Central Valley 34, Highlands 10; Imani Christian 59, Hopewell 21

Winner plays: The winner will play the North Catholic/Avonworth winner in the 3A championship game at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Acrisure Stadium

Players to watch: Ethan Shearer, Central Valley (Sr., 6-2, 218, RB/TE/LB); Gabe Jenkins, Imani Christian (Jr., 6-2, 185, QB/WR/S)

Team notes

Central Valley: Following a first-round bye, it took a little bit to get going, but once they did, it was full steam ahead for the Warriors. Central Valley led Highlands 14-10 at the half but scored the final 20 points of the game in the second half. Senior running back Ethan Shearer rushed for 141 yards on 22 carries and scored on a 10-yard run. Ethan Ondrusek and Ethan Bosco scored rushing touchdowns while Garrett Warsing returned a blocked punt 28 yards for a Warriors score.

Imani Christian: The Saints playoff debut in 2025 was a smashing success in the quarterfinals, holding the high-powered Hopewell offense to 21 points. Meanwhile, the Imani Christian offense was churning out plenty of points thanks to junior quarterback Gabe Jenkins, who threw for 56 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 184 yards and two scores. Teammate David Davis also enjoyed great success on the ground, gaining 170 yards on only six carries while scoring on a 78-yard run. Davis announced Thursday he is flipping his college commitment from Penn State to North Carolina.

Historic factoids

• This is the first meeting between Central Valley and Imani Christian.

• Both programs are very young. Central Valley was formed in 2010 with the merger of Center and Monaca. Imani Christian first played a WPIAL schedule two years later in 2012, took a three-year hiatus then came back in 2016.

• The Warriors and Saints each started their programs on a strong note. Central Valley won the 2010 WPIAL championship while Imani Christian finished 6-3 in 2012.

• A victory sends the Saints to their second district title game. They lost to Jeannette in the 2017 Class A finals, 35-34. Mark Lyons hopes to lead the Warriors to their second straight and 10th overall WPIAL title game. Central Valley is 5-4 in championship contests.

Tags: Avonworth, Central Valley, Imani Christian, North Catholic