WPIAL Class 3A preview: Defending champ Avonworth again looks like team to beat

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, August 17, 2025 | 7:01 AM

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Avonworth coach Duke Johncour may not want to hear this, or maybe he does, but opposing coaches say his Antelopes are the team to beat in WPIAL Class 3A.

“It starts and ends with Avonworth,” said Central Valley coach Mark Lyons, whose team fell to the Antelopes in the WPIAL championship game last year.

“If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man,” said Imani Christian coach LaRoi Johnson, whose team fell in the 2024 semifinals.

Johncour did admit that his team will be pretty good once again as long as the players stay healthy. But he says there are a lot of good teams in Class 3A this season.

“I feel our conference (Western Hills) might be the strongest in the state,” Johncour said. “We have a good team, but so do Central Valley, Beaver, Hopewell with seven transfers and North Catholic with its quarterback.

“The other conferences (Allegheny 7 and Interstate) have strong teams. Imani Christian is very athletic, Highlands and Freeport in the Allegheny 7 and Elizabeth Forward, Greensburg Salem and Mt. Pleasant in the Interstate.”

The Antelopes will rely on quarterback Carson Bellinger, running back Luca Neal and 6-foot-5, 280-pound left tackle Peter Bonnet to lead the way.

Central Valley has some holes to fill after graduation and an unexpected transfer.

One of those losses was Division I running back prospect Jance Henry Jr., who transferred out of state following a sophomore season in which he rushed for 875 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Graduation nabbed Mason Dixon, who led the team in rushing with 1,372 yards and 17 scores, and starting quarterback Steven Rutherford, who passed for 1,000 yards and rushed for 403.

“Our depth and our experience are going to be up front,” Lyons said. “We have to grow up and bring our younger, skilled guys along, and hopefully they grow up.”

North Catholic, with quarterback Joey Felitsky and his talented receivers, and Hopewell, led by quarterback James Armstrong, are ready to contend.

Felitsky was the WPIAL’s leading quarterback, and Armstrong threw for 11 touchdowns and 1,372 yards and rushed for 746 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Imani returns numerous players being recruited by colleges, including defensive backs David Davis and Gabe Jenkins, linebacker Dajaun Craighead, defensive end Will Gorman and lineman Davon Johnson, a three-year starter.

“The kids are motivated, and we are headed in the right direction,” LaRoi Johnson said. “We respect everyone we play.”

Johnson said he expects Freeport, Highlands, Deer Lakes and East Allegheny will challenge his team.

Elizabeth Forward is considered the team to beat in the Interstate Conference. Quarterback Ryan Messina leads the Warriors.

“Ryan is very good,” Elizabeth Forward coach John DeMarco said.

“We will be counting on him to lead the way. We must find skilled players, but our strength is our offensive line.”

Messina was the conference’s first-team quarterback the past two seasons. His main targets should be Aaron Ulmer and senior transfer Landon Honick, who caught 37 passes for 727 yards for Greensburg Central Catholic last year.

Middle linebacker Brendan Stroschein, a three-year starter, will lead the way on defense.

DeMarco said the conference will be better, and he predicts Greensburg Salem will be a sleeper in Class 3A.

Mt. Pleasant returns an experienced line, and Southmoreland will count on junior Dawson Wolfe at quarterback to replace Anthony Smith, who transferred.

Class 3A

Preseason rankings

1. Avonworth (12-4)

The Antelopes are defending WPIAL champions after falling against Belle Vernon in 2023 and 2022. They are looking for their fourth title and are led by quarterback Carson Bellinger and running back Luca Neal.

2. Imani Christian (11-1)

3. Hopewell (4-6)

4. Elizabeth Forward (8-4)

5. Central Valley (7-6)

*Records from 2024

The stars

Brenden Alexander

Central Valley, Sr., OL/DL

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Alexander has received interest from more than 26 NCAA Division I programs, including Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia. He had 81 tackles, 31 solo, in 2024. He had one sack and 28 hurries.

David Davis

Imani Christian, Sr., DB/WR

The 6-foot, 193-pound Davis rushed for 297 yards, caught 11 passes for 266 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He is a Penn State commit. He is an outstanding defender with high-end speed and athleticism.

Joey Felitsky

North Catholic, Sr., QB

Felitsky (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) led the WPIAL in passing yards. He completed 236 of 355 passes for 2,982 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Ryan Messina

Elizabeth Forward, Sr., QB

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Messina completed 121 of 181 passes for 2,035 yards and 22 touchdowns. He only threw four interceptions. He is once again the key to the Warriors’ offense.

Luca Neal

Avonworth, Sr., RB/LB

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior led the Antelopes in rushing with 1,018 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also led the team with 26 catches for 489 yards. He had 93 tackles, 53 solo, eight for losses, two sacks and three fumble recoveries.

Don’t miss

9.19 Imani Christian at Highlands

The conference title may be on the line when these two tangle in Natrona Heights. Imani Christian won last year’s meeting, 12-10.

9.26 Avonworth vs. Central Valley

The is a midseason test for both teams. They will know where they stand after this game. Avonworth won both meetings in 2024 — 21-14 during the regular season and 17-0 in the WPIAL championship game.

10.3 Greensburg Salem at Mt. Pleasant

The games between these county rivals always seem to be close. The game could decide seeding in the playoffs. Mt. Pleasant won last year’s game at Offutt Field, 28-21.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Avonworth, Beaver, Central Valley, Deer Lakes, Derry Area, Elizabeth Forward, Greensburg Salem, Highlands, Hopewell, Imani Christian, North Catholic, Southmoreland