Avonworth’s Jimmy Zubik (No. 10, in white) finds an opening in last Friday’s regular season-ending game against North Catholic. After a scoreless first half, the ‘Lopes struggled in the second, ultimately losing the section title to the Trojans. The Antelopes will continue on to the WPIAL Class A playoffs, where they will host Monaca Friday night in a rematch of last year’s second round playoff game. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

The WPIAL Class A Eastern Conference title was on the line last Friday night at J.C. Stone Field as the Avonworth Antelopes met the North Catholic Trojans in the final game of the regular season.

After a scoreless first half, the Trojans came out of the locker room ready to play and went on to beat Avonworth 17-7 and take home the conference title.

"We didn't come out to play in the second half," head coach Jason Kekseo said after the game.

Penalties were a mainstay, holding Avonworth back throughout the game. The 'Lopes took a total of 12 penalties throughout the game, costing Avonworth 89 yards and a touchdown.

"Penalties cost us the game," Kekseo said.

Facing a third-and-15 on the first play of the second quarter, quarterback Tom Turnbull completed a 23-yard pass to Brian Vales for what would have been the first points of the game. The play was called back, though, because of a holding penalty against Avonworth.

Both teams were held scoreless until the end of the third quarter. The Trojans added three points to the scoreboard with a 22-yard field goal after their drive stalled on the Avonworth 5-yard line. With just 12 seconds left in the third, North Catholic led 3-0.

The Trojans struck again on their next offensive possession with a touchdown that capped off a 65-yard drive. Avonworth gave the Trojans a hand with two encroachment penalties, one of which gave North Catholic a first down.

After the penalty, on first-and-10, the Trojan quarterback completed a 21-yard pass into the end zone to increase the lead. The extra point was good and, with 8:30 left to play, the 'Lopes trailed by 10.

The 'Lopes looked to answer back on the ensuing drive after an exciting 80-yard Jimmy Zubik kick-off return that gave Avonworth great field position. Starting out at the Trojan 2-yard line, the 'Lopes were able to put their first points on the board in just two plays.

On second-and-goal, Turnbull got into the end zone on a quarterback keeper up the middle to cut the Trojans' lead to four points. Houston Hunt added the point after and, with 7:27 left in the fourth, the score stood 10-7 in favor of North Catholic.

The Trojans would put the game out of reach on their last offensive possession of the game.

North Catholic started out with good field position, at the 'Lopes' 21, after forcing Avonworth to turn over the ball on downs.

On second-and-13, the Trojan quarterback completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to seal the deal. The extra point was good to put the final score at 17-7.

Despite the loss, Avonworth (7-2) finished second in the conference and faces Monaca (5-4) in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs tonight at Lenzner Field.

Last year, Monaca defeated the 'Lopes 17-6 in the WPIAL Class A semi-final game. With only 30 seconds left in the game, the 'Lopes were five yards away from a touchdown that would have given them the lead, but Monaca intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.