Avonworth’s Jake Szolis rushed for 171 yards in the Antelopes’ first round WPIAL playoff win last Friday. The come-from-behind victory sends the boys of fall into another game against North Catholic, which will be played tonight in Fox Chapel. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

By JIM RUMBLE

The first round of the WPIAL playoffs proved to be a tough game for Avonworth, who hosted Brentwood last Friday night. After trailing at halftime, the Antelopes battled back in the second half to defeat the Spartans 28-21.

The most dramatic point in the game came late in the fourth quarter, when Ryan Schmid returned a punt 95 yards to seal the win for the Antelopes, who will move on to face North Catholic in a quarterfinal game to be played at Fox Chapel at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

After the game, head coach Jason Kekseo said of Schmid, "He's a play-maker, and when he gets the ball in his hands he can make things happen."

Jake Szolis, starting in place of the injured Ricky Lawniczak, rushed for 171 yards and scored two touchdowns.

"Jake's been a good player for us all year," said Kekseo. "When Ricky went down last week, Jake stepped up," he said.

Avonworth got on the scoreboard first, stopping Brentwood's game-opening possession. Following a poor punt on fourth down, the 'Lopes began their first drive from the Spartans’ 47.

Szolis started with a 3-yard run before the Antelope offensive line practically escorted him on the next play to a 44-yard TD run. Elliot Miller's conversion on the extra point kick put the ‘Lopes 7-0 with 10:14 remaining in the opening quarter.

The score would remain that way until the Spartans got into the end zone on the first play of the second quarter.

Most of the damage was done by Brentwood quarterback Cory Bauer, who finished the game throwing for 187 yards including one TD pass.

On this drive, Bauer completed passes and ran the ball successfully himself to move the team before handing the ball off for a 1-yard TD run followed by the kick to tie the game at 7-7.

Avonworth was intercepted on their next possession but got the ball right back when Brentwood was intercepted by Brian Niklaus to set up the Antelope offense at their own 34.

One of the key plays on the possession was a 36-yard run by Szolis, thanks to a huge hole in the line created by Bryan Bartram on the right side.

Quarterback Brian Vales completed a 16-yard pass to Mike Giampole before Szolis culminated the drive with a 4-yard TD run, followed by Miller's kick, to reclaim the lead for Avonworth at 14-7 with 7:09 left in the second quarter.

Brentwood answered back on their next possession, taking advantage of a good kick return that set up their offense at their own 49. From there the Spartans moved the ball in six plays, finishing with a 12-yard TD pass to tie the score at 14-14 with 3:43 left in the second quarter.

Avonworth went three-and-out before Brent-wood's next possession gave the Spartans their first lead.

The Spartans moved from their own 16, with the big play coming on a screen pass that covered 68 yards to the 'Lopes’ 12. Brentwood finished the drive with a 3-yard TD run that sent the teams to halftime with Avonworth trailing 21-14.

Brentwood's Bauer, who threw for 148 yards in the first half ,wasn't as effective in the second, mainly because of some defensive adjustments made by Avonworth.

"We were too soft in coverage," Kekseo said. "We moved our defensive backs up and we quit giving them our cushion and our backs really stepped up and played man coverage and shut them down," he said.

Avonworth took advantage to start the third quarter when Brentwood's attempt at an onside kick was recovered by the 'Lopes at the Spartan 48. The Antelopes kept pounding the ball with Szolis, but ended the possession with Eddie Kurtz going over the top for a 1-yard TD.

The 'Lopes gambled when Szolis' try on the 2-point run failed, and left the Spartans still leading 21-20.

Avonworth appeared to get a big break when Brentwood mishandled the ensuing kick-off, which was recovered by Evan Wojokowski at the Brentwood 25. The 'Lopes failed to capitalize, though. Vales' third down pass was intercepted at the goal line.

Avonworth had one other chance to take a lead into the fourth quarter, but Miller's field goal try from 21 yards out went wide right.

The difference maker in this game came with Schmid's punt return in the fourth quarter. Senior tailback Zack Wasko, who has been battling injuries all season and had a couple of 20 + yards carrying the ball in the second half, finished the scoring with a run on the 2-point try to seal Avonworth's 28-21 victory.