A wall of Flames failed to deter Avonworth tailback Ricky Lawniczak (No. 8),who rushed for more than 100 yards in the first half of last Friday’s “Pink Out” before breaking his collar bone when he hit the ground wrong. The 35-0 win put the ‘Lopes into the conference championship and the WPIAL playoffs, and ended a troubling season for Northgate. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth Antelopes football team renewed their rivalry with the Northgate Flames Friday night, and boy have things changed. The 'Lopes were defeated 32-7 in 2002 and 27-6 the last time the two teams got together in 2003. Last Friday, the Antelopes were in total command as they disposed of the Flames 35-0.

"We knew we would take care of them," said coach Jason Kekseo after the game. "You have a rivalry game like this -- it's usually the tougher team that wins. Tonight I think you see how far Avonworth's program has come."

The victory established the 'Lopes as the conference champion, their second title over the last three years.

The win, however, did come at a cost. Tailback Ricky Lawniczak, who rushed for 101 yards, was sidelined before halftime with a broken collar bone and will be out for the playoffs.

Trying to be optimistic after the game, Lawniczak said, "Three weeks -- that's what I'm hoping, to be back just in time for Heinz Field," the site of the WPIAL championship game.

Kekseo seemed to think that things will be fine without his star. "We've got kids who will step up. We've got Jake [Szolis], Eddie Kurtz, Andrew [Broaddus] -- a lot of kids who can step up."

"While losing Ricky, who is a big part of our offense, these other kids are going to have to respond to that adversity and increase their game," he said.

Meanwhile, Northgate had their own problems that night, especially on offense. They moved the sticks only four times, with one first down coming as the result of an Avonworth penalty.

Flames’ quarterback John Girvin had a rough night throwing the ball, with numerous dropped passes and constant pressure from Avonworth's relentless play defensively.

After the game, Northgate coach Mike Pipak said, "We really couldn't get anything going on offense. When we had chances, we dropped the ball. Our quarterback put the ball where it had to be -- we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot." He added, "They handled us up front -- they're a better football team."

Northgate's defense didn't help matters much, collecting nine penalties for 70 yards.

"That's been our whole year," Pipak said.

Avonworth took advantage right from the start with an interception by Ryan Schmid ending Northgate's game-opening possession to put the 'Lopes on offense at the 50-yard line.

The Antelopes mixed runs by Lawniczak, Szolis and Kurtz, with Lawniczak capping the nine play drive with a 4-yard TD run followed by Elliot Miller's kick to go up 7-0.

Avonworth got good field position following Northgate's next possession when Andrew Niklaus returned the punt 29 yards to the Flames’ 42.The drive was highlighted by a 10-yard pass completion from Brian Vales to Schmid with a Northgate holding penalty tacked on to put the ball at the Flames’ 13.

Lawniczak ran for 7 yards before Szolis finished with a 6-yard TD run which, along with Miller's kick, put the 'Lopes ahead 14-0 with 3:19 left in the first quarter.

Girvin completed passes of 10 and 5 yards to J.D. Hoover on Northgate's ensuing possession, but that ended with a punt on fourth down.

Avonworth's next possession started from their own 40, continuing into the second quarter and ending the seven-play drive when Vales threw to a wide open Mike Giampole on the left side for a 23-yard TD pass.
Miller's kick moved the 'Lopes ahead 21-0 with 9:27 remaining in the second quarter.

Avonworth fumbled the punt after Northgate's next possession, but the Flames were not able to capitalize.

Cesar Ceniceros' sack forced a punt on fourth down before the 'Lopes started back on offense at their own 49.

The 'Lopes turned the ball over again when Vales threw deep to Schmid on first down. The ball was stripped from Schmid at the 5-yard line and recovered by the Flames in the end zone for a touchback.

The Antelopes move 69 yards in 11 plays on their next drive, which ended with a 6-yard TD run by Kurtz, followed by Miller's kick, to put Avonworth in front 28-0 at halftime.

The 'Lopes scored their final touchdown late in the third quarter with a 2-yard TD run by Andrew Broaddus and Miller's kick putting the final score at 35-0.

Vales finished with 110 yards passing and Broaddus with 106 yards rushing.

The Antelopes will host Brentwood in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs tonight at 7:30 p.m.