Avonworth's Andrew Niklaus (No. 15) takes hits from both sides despite assistance from Jake Szolis (No. 33) and Tyler Noethiger (No. 58) during the Antelopes’ 26-10 win over Springdale at home last Friday. Tailback Ricky Lawniczak had better luck for the ‘Lopes, rushing for 187 yards and scoring a touchdown. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

BY JIM RUMBLE

It was a game the players eagerly awaited when Avonworth hosted #3 ranked Springdale last Friday. Having a sense that this was a “must-win” only two games into the season, the Antelopes delivered with an exciting 26-10 win over the Dynamos.

The 'Lopes were led by quarterback Brian Vales, who threw two TD passes and ran for one. They also got a huge performance from running back Ricky Lawniczak, who scored a touchdown while rushing for 187 yards.

After the game, Coach Jason Kekseo said of Lawniczak's performance, "He really stepped up tonight. We were searching and searching, moving things around and trying to find what was going to fit our mold."

Kekseo then added, "But you have to give a lot of credit to our offensive line. They really took it personally and they dominated. Scotty Barlek came alive tonight, Brian Bartram came alive, the whole offensive line carried the weight and Ricky did a great job of running for us tonight."

Avonworth got on the scoreboard first when their second possession of the game moved 75 yards in 10 plays.

The 'Lopes took advantage of Lawniczak running the ball along with pass completions of 14 yards from Vales to Ryan Schmid and a completion of 10 yards to Andrew Niklaus to reach the Springdale 19.

An offsides call against the Dynamos moved the ball to the 14 when Vales threw for the score to Schmid, followed by Elliot Miller's kick to give the Antelopes a 7-0 lead with 4:19 left in the opening quarter.

Avonworth was then able to set up their next touchdown with a short field, thanks to a bad snap on fourth down on Springdale's ensuing possession.

Jake Szolis made a big hit on the Dynamos’ punter that put Avonworth on offense at the Springdale 21.

Four runs by Lawniczak set up a 4-yard TD pass from Vales to Mike Giampole that extended the 'Lopes’ lead to 13-0 just two plays into the second quarter.

Springdale then had a short field to work with when they followed with a 55-yard return to move down to the Antelope 15. The Dynamos kept their drive alive, converting a fourth down run by the quarterback for a first down and then running the ball for a 5-yard TD to trail 13-7 with 8:52 left in the second quarter.

A fumble by Avonworth on their next possession gave Springdale the ball at the Antelope 34, however the drive would end at the 'Lopes’ 20 after good pressure defensively forced an incomplete pass on fourth down.

Avonworth reached their own 43 before punting on fourth down and giving Springdale the final possession of the half. They moved the ball from their 27 to the Avonworth 18 with a 13-play drive that consumed about four minutes from the clock before settling for a field goal and sending the teams into halftime with the 'Lopes' lead cut to 13-10.

A big hit by A.J. Mang, as Avonworth kicked off the third quarter, set the tone for things to come as Springdale went three-and-out on their first possession. Avonworth then marched down the field in 14 plays toward their next score and consumed a little over six and a half minutes from the time clock.

Lawniczak and Szolis alternated runs, but Vales came up big twice with runs of 8-yards and 18-yards coming on third down to move the chains.

A pass for 14 yards to Szolis set up Lawniczak's 8- yard run for the touchdown.

Lawniczak could not get into the end zone on the 2-point conversion but Avonworth led 19-10 with 3:10 to play in the third quarter.

Schmid came up big for the Antelope defense when the first of his two interceptions on the night gave Avonworth the ball at the Springdale 48.

The 'Lopes continued to pound the ball inside with eight consecutive runs by Lawniczak, placing the ball at the Dynamos’ 6. Vales took it from there, rolling around the right side for a TD that was followed by Miller's kick to put Avonworth ahead 26-10 with 8:15 left to play.

Schmid ended Springdale's final nine-play drive that followed with an interception with 4:46 left to play.

Lawniczak continued as the workhorse, with huge pick-ups of yardage that allowed Avonworth to run down the clock and secure their first win of the season.

"After last week, we wanted to come out and make a statement,” Kekseo said, referring to the Antelopes’ season-opening loss. “We thought we had to come here and really put it to a team and show them what Avonworth is capable of."

Eddie Kurtz led the team in tackles with seven followed by Szolis and Connor O'Donnell with five each.