A strong defensive performance by the Avonworth Antelopes helped limit the damage they sustained when they encountered the powerhouse Rochester Rams in the WPIAL semifinals last Friday. Pictured here, Cesar Ceniceros brings down a Ram in the 20-7 loss that ended the “Lopes’ championship season. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

By JIM RUMBLE

It all boils down to execution. That was the key when Avonworth squared off with Rochester in a WPIAL semifinal game played at Ambridge high school last Friday.

The Rams, who will move on to play Clairton in the finals at Heinz Field this Saturday, managed to convert several third down and long situations on pivotal drives on their way to defeating the Antelopes 20-7.

"We didn't execute," said head coach Jason Kekseo. "We put a solid game plan together. There were a few breakdowns, but hats off to Rochester -- they're a very good, well-coached football team."

The 'Lopes, who trailed 20-7 at the half, pulled together to allow one field goal in the second half.

"We had every intention and every expectation of winning this football game," said Kekseo. "We're a group of winners, not just on the football field but in the classroom and the community -- and I'm just proud to be a part of something like that," he said.

Avonworth started the game on offense following Ryan Schmid's 21-yard return on the opening kick to the Avonworth 35.

The Antelopes were able to pick up a first down when Brian Vales threw to Schmid for a 16-yard pickup, but the drive never materialized.

The teams traded possessions before Rochester put together a scoring drive. Starting from their own 20, the Rams, who seem to be a run-oriented offense, took to the air, converting a 3rd-and-14 situation for a pick-up of 37 yards and then completing a pass for 20 yards to reach the Antelope 20. Rochester then moved forward on the ground, culminating the drive with a 2-yard run for the touchdown followed by the extra point kick to lead 7-0 with 1:47 left in the opening quarter.

The Antelopes went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, then the Rams added to their lead. The key play in the drive that started at the Rochester 37-yard line was 37-yard run that reached the Avonworth 26.
The five-play drive ended with a 37-yard field goal that gave the Rams a 10-0 lead only a minute and a half into the second quarter.

Avonworth was able to respond when their ensuing possession moved 82 yards for a touchdown. The Antelopes mixed the run with the pass as the drive was highlighted by a 21-yard pass completion from
Vales to Mike Giampole, and then a 27-yard run by Jake Szolis to put the ball on the Rochester 23.

Vales completed another pass to Giampole for 16 yards then threw to Andrew Niklaus for a 7-yard TD followed by Elliot Miller's kick, and cut the Rams' lead to 10-7 with 7:42 left in the second quarter.

Rochester was able to answer the bell and reclaim their 10-point lead on their next possession, which started from their own 39. A sizable pick-up on the first down run and a facemask penalty against the Antelopes quickly had the Rams at the Avonworth 37.
Rochester was able to convert a 3rd-and-7 with a pass completion along the way before ending the drive with a third down throw that resulted in a 9-yard TD, followed by the kick, to take a 17-7 lead to the half.

Avonworth had two possessions in the second half that moved inside the Rochester 30, and one other that ended when a fake punt by Niklaus did not pick up a first down in Rams territory.

That possession was followed by another Rochester score, a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that put the final score at 20-7.

Szolis finished the game with 97 yards rushing on 16 carries, and Vales was 14-25, throwing for 138 yards. Eddie Kurtz led the team with 12 tackles.

After the game Kekseo said of his players, "I'm proud of these guys -- they did a great job."

Looking ahead to next year he said, "This junior class coming up -- the only thing they know is how to win." He finished by saying, "I'm looking forward to coaching Avonworth football next year."