Avonworth running back Ricky Lawniczak gets tackled despite the defensive assistance of Tyler Knepper (53), Bryan Bartram (65) and Ben Radar (85) in the Antelopes’ loss to Bishop Canevin. Photo by Connie Rankin for The Citizen

By JIM RUMBLE

Just like last year, the Avonworth football team opened the season against Bishop Canevin, and the results were no different as the Antelopes fell to the Crusaders at home 33-6.

Untimely turnovers again proved to be the ‘Lopes downfall as new head coach Duke Johncour will have to wait another week for a chance to secure his first win.

"We moved the ball up and down the field, but the turnovers kill you," said Johncour.

The Antelope offense was led by tailback Ricky Lawniczak, who rushed for 154 yards on 17 carries.

Avonworth began the game on offense with two runs by Lawniczak producing a first down, but Canevin was able to take advantage of good field position when the possession ended with an Antelope punt that was returned 36 yards to the Avonworth 34. Canevin's offense reached the Antelope 16 yard line before they had to settle for a 28-yard field goal to lead 3-0 with 5:28 left in the opening period.

Avonworth tried to capitalize on a fumble recovery by Anthony Tomasino late in the quarter. Their ensuing possession featured a 49-yard jaunt by Lawniczak to the Canevin 21.

That possession ended, however, when quarterback Brian Vales was sacked on third and fourth downs for big losses that gave the Crusaders the ball on their own 41 only a minute into the second quarter.

Avonworth's defense held, with a big stop by Tyler Noethiger and a sack by A.J. Mang forcing a Canevin punt on fourth down.

What came next was the first of five Antelope turnovers, as the punt was fumbled and recovered by the Crusaders at the Avonworth 34.

A tackle by Mang netted a 5-yard loss back to the 39, but the Crusaders cashed in, converting a 3-and-15 play, finding a seam in the Antelope secondary and completing a 39-yard TD pass followed by the extra point kick to lead 10-0.

Avonworth 's Andrew Broadus gave the Antelopes great field position to start their next drive with a 42-yard kick return to the Avonworth 49. Alternating runs between Lawniczak and fullback Dan Coulter moved the ball to the Canevin 9 yard line, but the drive ended when Vales was separated from the ball running the option play on third down, and the Crusaders made the recovery.

The Antelopes were moving the ball on the ground on their next possession, with Lawniczak picking up a couple of first downs to reach the Canevin 46. That drive ended with an interception that was returned to the Avonworth 40-yard line with 2:07 left in the quarter.

Mang came up big with another sack back to the 50-yard line before the Crusaders were able to convert a fourth down play with a screen pass that picked up 38 yards to the Antelope 12 with 00:13 left on the clock.

Avonworth's Ryan Welsh and Kevin Crawford each were able to successfully defend pass attempts before Canevin kicked another field goal from 28 yards out to lead 13-0 at the half.

Big plays were abundant in this game, but none were as towering or disheartening for Antelope fans as what occurred at the start of the third quarter. After receiving the second half kick-off, Canevin's first play from scrimmage resulted in an 82-yard TD run, followed by the extra point kick to put the Crusaders ahead 20-0.

Avonworth lost another fumble in the third quarter, and Canevin added to their lead. Starting from the Antelope 48, the Crusaders culminated an eight-play drive with a 1-yard TD run to lead 26-0 with just under two minutes to play in the period.

Avonworth got on the board in the fourth quarter when Vales threw to Mike Giampole, who broke a tackle to complete a 63-yard touchdown that put the score at 26-6 with 5:59 remaining.

Another Antelope fumble helped Canevin extend their lead, setting up a 17-yard TD run to put the final score at 33-6.

After the game, Johncour said, "Lawniczak ran well and we held them to two short field goals but our defense just got tired."

"We need to work hard and hold onto the ball," he said.

Zane Schilling had a fumble recovery and combined with Giampole for a sack, and Noethiger added a sack.