By JIM RUMBLE

Facing one of the weaker teams in the section last Friday, the Avonworth Antelopes upped their record to 2-1 on the season, defeating Wilkinsburg on the road 28-0.

The Tigers, who have secured only two wins over the past five years, didn't do much to excite the 'Lopes in a contest that coach Jason Kekseo termed as boring.

The spotlight was again on running back Ricky Lawniczak, who rushed for 136 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Avonworth went right to work on offense with their first possession, moving 66 yards for the game's first score.

The 'Lopes kept the ball on the ground, mixing runs between Lawniczak and Jake Szolis, and ended the eight-play drive when Szolis ran the ball in from five yards out. Elliot Miller made good on the extra point kick putting the 'Lopes in front 7-0 with 7:52 left in the first quarter.

The Tigers had trouble hanging on to the ball as their first possession started on their own 35, but ended with a punt on fourth down from their own 5-yard line.

The 'Lopes were not able to capitalize, with their next drive starting from the Wilkinsburg 30 and ending with a fourth down pass from Brian Vales that bounced off of the receiver's chest and fell incomplete.
Avonworth continued throughout the game to keep the Tigers’ offense pinned deep in their own end, thus enabling the Avonworth offense to start repeatedly inside Wilkinsburg territory.

In the second quarter, a sack by Szolis forced a punt by the Tigers on fourth down and gave the Antelopes an excellent opportunity by starting their offense from the Wilkinsburg 31. Avonworth would not squander the chance, completing a four-play drive with a 4-yard run for the touchdown by Lawniczak.

Elliot tacked on the extra point kick giving the 'Lopes a 14-0 lead with 4:13 left in the second quarter.

After forcing a three-and out series on Wilkinsburg's ensuing possession, the Avonworth special teams got in on the act when Szolis blocked a punt at the Tigers' 6-yard line on fourth down. The ball was recovered by Mike Giampole in the end zone and, with Elliot's kick that followed, Avonworth was able to take a 21-0 lead into halftime.

The Antelopes put the game away when their first possession of the third quarter moved 69 yards for a touchdown.

Lawniczak ran the ball on seven of the eight running plays, culminating the drive with a 5-yard TD run. Elliot followed with the extra point kick, putting the Antelopes in front 28-0 with 5:03 remaining in the third quarter.

Avonworth went with reserve players throughout the rest of the contest.

"It was nice to be able to give a lot of our younger players some playing time," Kekseo said later.

Szolis had a great game defensively with a solo sack and a combined sack with A.J. Mang. Dalton Day also recorded a sack late in the fourth quarter.

Ryan Schmid snared his third interception of the year in the second quarter.

Eddie Kurtz and Ceasar Cenceros led the team in tackles with four each.