Costly mistakes and a few big plays -- forces that helped Avonworth beat Monaca in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs -- worked against the 'Lopes last week when they faced a much faster Clairton team at Chartiers-Houston.

The speedier Bears' defense shut down Avonworth's offense in the quarterfinals and Avonworth was shut out for the first time this season, 24-0.

The loss knocked the 'Lopes out of the WPIAL playoffs, ending their season with a record of 8-3 overall.

"I think we exceeded everybody's expectations except our own," head coach Jason Kekseo said of the team's performance this year.

The Bears' defense held Avonworth to only 33 yards offensively and only two first downs in the first half. The ‘Lopes’ initial first down did not come until almost the four-minute mark of the second quarter, and the other came on the final play of the half on a fancy hook-and-ladder that netted 34 yards.

When the 'Lopes finally did get something going offensively, turnovers and penalties ended potential scoring drives.

Avonworth's defense forced five turnovers in the game, but the 'Lopes were unable to capitalize on any of them.

Clairton's first score came on an 8-yard run with 3:08 left in the first quarter. The Bears went for two and got it to put the score at 8-0.

Clairton threatened to score on their next possession after driving all the way down to the 'Lopes' 10, but the Bears' running back fumbled the ball on the 1-yard line trying to stretch it into the end zone. Ryan Schmid recovered the fumble and the 'Lopes took possession with 11:52 left in the second quarter.

Avonworth's turn of fortune did not last long. On the first play of the drive, 'Lopes' quarterback Tom Turnbull, facing a lot of pressure, was sacked in the end zone for a safety. The Bears led 10-0.

Clairton added another touchdown before halftime, capping off a two-play drive with a nifty 35-yard reverse pass that increased their lead to 16-0. The Bears went for two, but the attempt failed.

During the opening coin toss, the 'Lopes apparently had intended to defer their option to receive until the second half, but somehow failed to do so. That meant they were forced to kick the ball to Clairton at the start of the second half, just as they did to open the game.

After a good return, the Bears drove the ball down to Avonworth's 7-yard line, but the defense came up with a turnover on a Brian Vales interception to end the drive.

The 'Lopes could not move the ball, though, and went three-and-out.

On Clairton's next drive, the 'Lope defense again came away with a turnover. Jeff Wehner recovered a fumble and Avonworth regained possession at their own 25 with just over seven minutes to play in the third quarter.

The 'Lopes' offense was poised to capitalize on the turnover, coming up with their best drive of the game. The drive took over five minutes off the clock and Avonworth marched 58 yards, but again the 'Lopes fell short. A costly turnover ended their possession after the 'Lopes drove down to Clairton's 13-yard line, where a Turnbull pass intended for Vales was intercepted.

The Bears made Avonworth pay for the error, scoring in just one play on an 87-yard run to put the game out of reach. A two-point conversion attempt was good to put the score at 24-0 with two minutes left in the third.

Avonworth's next possession, which featured a 60-yard catch-and-run by Jimmy Zubik, stalled out after the 'Lopes got as close as the Bears' one-yard line. Three consecutive mistakes ended Avonworth's chance to cut the lead.

On second-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Turnbull completed a pass to Schmid in the end zone, but a questionable illegal man downfield penalty cost the 'Lopes the score and five yards. Turnbull was pressured into getting rid of the ball on the next play, which resulted in an intentional grounding penalty that put Avonworth back to the Bears' 21. Turnbull's pass was intercepted on the next play.

The 'Lopes’ defense forced two more turnovers in the game, one on an interception by Vales and another fumble recovery by Wehner, but the Bears' defense shut down Avonworth's offense and forced Turnbull into another interception just before the end of the game.

Ben Kramer finished the night with seven tackles and two sacks on defense. Wehner had six tackles and a sack, and Eddie Kurtz had five tackles.

"We will be better next year," Kekseo said after the game.