By JIM RUMBLE

It was a game that illustrated total dominance when the Avonworth Antelopes hosted Leechburg last Friday.

Led by Ricky Lawniczak, who rushed for 101 yards and scored three touchdowns -- all in the first half -- the 'Lopes cruised to victory over the Blue Devils 54-0.

“Ricky is such a downhill runner," coach Jason Kekseo said after the game. "Our offensive line started taking it personally and they got fired up. Once the offensive line starts rolling -- it all starts up front," Kekseo said.

He added, "I think we did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage."

The 'Lopes got a stellar performance from their special teams, which started and ended the first half with punt returns for touchdowns.

Following a three-and-out possession by Leechburg to start the game, Avonworth got on the board when Andrew Niklaus rambled 55 yards down the left side line for a touchdown. Eliott Miller converted on the extra point kick, giving the 'Lopes a 7-0 lead with 10:25 remaining in the first quarter.

A combined sack by A.J. Mang and Mike Giampole, followed by Connor O'Donnell's sack, forced a punt by Leechburg deep in their own end that would set up Avonworth's next scoring opportunity. Starting from the Blue Devil 38, the 'Lopes were penalized for being off sides, moving the ball back to the 43-yard line. On the very next play, Lawniczak turned the corner on the left side and bolted down the sideline for the touchdown, followed by Miller's kick that put Avonworth ahead 14-0 with 7:55 left to play in the opening quarter.

Dan Coulter came up big late in the quarter, recovering an Avonworth punt that was dropped by the Blue Devils and giving the 'Lopes possession at the Leechburg 32. The teams exchanged penalties before Jake Szolis took a pitch around the right side, completing a 14-yard touchdown run.

Miller's conversion on the kick gave Avonworth a 21-0 lead going into the second quarter.

The Antelopes took advantage when Leechburg's next possession ended with a bad snap on fourth down that was recovered by Giampole on the Blue Devil 6.

Avonworth ended the short drive when quarterback Brian Vales waited on Ryan Schmid to come open on the left side before completing a 5-yard TD pass for the score. Miller's extra point kick had Avonworth leading 28-0 with 9:09 to play in the second quarter.

The mistakes continued for Leechburg, as their next possession ended with a fumble recovered by Dalton Day at the Blue Devil 32.

Lawniczak took the hand-off on first down, breaking through the left side of the line to complete a 32-yard TD run, followed by Miller's kick, to spring the Antelopes ahead 35-0 with 8:13 left in the second quarter.

Leechburg's next possession ended with an interception by Jon Graham that put Avonworth back on offense at their own 26.

The drive was highlighted by runs of 25 yards by Vales and 32 yards by Szolis before Lawniczak finished with a 9-yard TD run to extend the Antelope lead to 41-0 with 4:03 to go until halftime.

Schmid followed Leechburg's next possession with an 81-yard punt return down the right sideline for the next score. Miller's kick sent Avonworth to a commanding 48-0 lead at the half.

With the Antelope starters resting in the second half and the mercy rule in effect, Avonworth added another score. Andrew Broaddus took a pitch from Matt Donovan and sprinted 80 yards for a TD. Miller's kick was good again and put the final score at 54-0.

After the game, Kekseo said, "I like how our kids came together as a team. We had a good week of practice and now our focus is Riverview and we look forward to the competition."

Coulter led the team in tackles with eight followed by Eddie Kurtz with six.

Dylan McKelvey added an interception late in the fourth quarter.