Avonworth running back Zack Wasko takes the ball around the end in last Friday’s game against Carlynton. The ‘Lopes scored all four of their touchdowns on the ground in the 27-0 win. Photo by Connie Rankin for The Citizen

Except for one quick score, it took almost the whole first half of last Friday's section match-up against the Carlynton Cougars for Avonworth's offense to finally get its engine going.

Nonetheless, on the wheels of Jimmy Zubik, the 'Lopes picked up the shut-out win at Lenzner Field, 27-0, and improved to 5-1 on the season.

"We came together as a team in the second half," head coach Jason Kekseo said.

The match-up marked the most intense, hard-hitting game of the year, with both sides playing until, and sometimes after, every whistle.

Avonworth's first score came on the game's second play from scrimmage. The 'Lopes had a second-and-nine at their own 42 when Zubik picked up 58 yards and his first touchdown of the night on a toss play to the right. Houston Hunt added the extra point and the 'Lopes had a quick 7-0 lead less than a minute into the game.

After that, the offensive wheels got stuck in the astroturf, getting only as close as the Cougars’ 37-yard line and committing three turnovers. The 'Lopes' defense, though, stood tough and kept the score in check.

The Cougars got as close as Avonworth's 14-yard line in the first half, and would have scored if it weren't for a drive-killing penalty. Carlynton was faced with a fourth-and-7 when the Cougar quarterback completed a pass to the corner of the end zone. An offensive penalty cost the Cougars 5 yards and the score with 4:26 left in the half.

The Avonworth offense cleaned off its tires for the second half, rushing for three more touchdowns on consecutive drives.

The 'Lopes' first offensive drive started out with good field position, after Brian Vales intercepted a pass on the Cougars’ opening drive of the half.

Avonworth started out at Carlynton's 5-yard line and after three plays was into the end zone for the second time. A face mask penalty on the Cougars gave the 'Lopes a hand, and the ball on the 1-yard line. On third-and-goal, quarterback Tom Turnbull pushed himself across the goal line on a keeper up the middle. The extra point was good and Avonworth led 14-0 with 7:48 left in the third quarter.

The 'Lopes' next offensive drive was the shortest of them all, lasting only 15 seconds. After an offside penalty against the Cougars, Zubik broke out for a 37-yard touchdown run to extend the 'Lopes lead to 20-0.

Avonworth's last scoring drive was all Zubik. On a first-and-10 from the 'Lopes’ own 35, Turnbull completed a 20-yard pass to Zubik. The next play featured yet another long run. Zubik took the ball around the right side 44 yards down to the Cougar 1. The 'Lopes scored two plays later after a false start that gave them a first-and-goal from the six.

Although it was Zubik's shortest touchdown run of the day, it certainly was his most exciting.

Zubik first took the ball left, then right. He then actually stopped for a split second, with the Cougar defense crashing in all around him, found a hole to the right and took it into the end zone for his third touchdown of the day. The run and ensuing point after put the 'Lopes up 27-0 with 1:55 left in the third quarter.

The second team was brought in for the majority of the fourth quarter, but the Cougar offense still could not manage to put anything on the board. The second team offense looked to have even scored on the Cougars on a pass from Vales to Ben Kramer in the fourth quarter, but a holding penalty cost the team a touchdown.

The 'Lopes shut-down defense was led by junior Jake Szolis, who seemed to be everywhere on the field. Szolis finished the night with nine tackles and a sack. Jeff Wehner finished with seven tackles. Matt Mamich had six tackles and a sack, and Kramer added four tackles and a fumble recovery.

Zubik finished the night with 215 yards on 17 carries and three touchdowns.

Avonworth travels to Leechburg tonight to face the 0-6 Blue Devils.