By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames (6-7, 3-2) played host to the Avonworth Antelopes (8-6, 2-4) Tuesday night, and in what turned out to be a classic battle between rivals, the Flames fell to the 'Lopes in overtime, by the score of 75 - 64.

Northgate came into the game intent on extending their win streak to three, after beating New Brighton and Westinghouse last week. However, Avonworth had their own intentions, and with their pesky man-to-man defense, the 'Lopes gave Northgate a taste of their own medicine. And, Avonworth handed the Flames their first loss at home this season.

By JIM RUMBLE

In a quarterfinal game that went down to the wire, the Avonworth football team saw their season come to a close as they were defeated by the Rochester Rams last Friday, 26-22.

"We gave it a good run," said coach Duke Johncour after the game."We came out of the chute slow with a fumble and giving up a couple of big third down conversions, but they made some great plays when they had to and that was the end result." .

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames and the Avonworth Antelopes scrapped for 48 minutes last Friday night at Northgate's Alumni Stadium. The Flames were defeated 28-20, in a scenario similar to last week's game, but again one characteristic stood out most -- Northgate's unwillingness to give up and their desire to keep fighting.

By JIM RUMBLE

In a non-conference game that seemed destined for the loss column last Friday, the Avonworth Antelopes got their act together in the nick of time and pulled out an exciting win in overtime.

Facing the Beth Center Bulldogs, who were coming into the game at 6-0 and ranked No. 4 in Class A, the Antelopes overcame four turnovers, along with nine penalties to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter that tied the game before pulling out a 20-19 win in overtime.

It was just a matter of time until the Avonworth football team put it all together, and that time arrived last Friday when the Antelopes hosted the Wilkins-burg Tigers.

With an offense that was led by Ricky Lawniczak, who rushed for 101 yards and 3 TDs in the first half, and a defense that constantly harassed the Tigers while recording six sacks, the Antelopes rolled to a 38-14 victory.

"We set the tone early and made the plays that we needed to make," said head coach Duke Johncour. "We put some pressure on them, and it worked out well for us."

By JIM RUMBLE

Just like last year, the Avonworth football team opened the season against Bishop Canevin, and the results were no different as the Antelopes fell to the Crusaders at home 33-6.

Untimely turnovers again proved to be the ‘Lopes downfall as new head coach Duke Johncour will have to wait another week for a chance to secure his first win.

"We moved the ball up and down the field, but the turnovers kill you," said Johncour.

The Antelope offense was led by tailback Ricky Lawniczak, who rushed for 154 yards on 17 carries.

By CARL PIETRUSINSKI

The ‘Lopes entered the final week of the regular season in control of their own destiny, as far as playoff dreams are concerned. With three games remaining, each contest would be crucial to take, and every player knew that winning-out ensured a spot in the WPIAL playoffs, from which the team has been one year removed. Losing more than once would close the season on a team that had enjoyed so many moments of promise.

By JIM RUMBLE

Having a tough time reaching any consistency on offense, the Avonworth baseball team found themselves on the short end of a 9-5 loss when they hosted Vincentian in their section opener last Thursday.

The Antelopes registered five hits, which made it difficult, especially after falling behind early in the game.

Pitcher Frank Restelli held the Royals in check through the first two innings, but had some control issues in the top of the third.

Vincentian took advantage of four walks that were issued, along with two base hits, to claim an early 4-0 lead.

By JIM RUMBLE

It was a tough week of basketball for the Avonworth Antelopes, a week that involved teams heading in the opposite direction as the regular season winds down.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the 'Lopes hosted Quaker Valley, a Top 10 team and the section's second place team, and were defeated 75-33. The following day the Antelopes hosted Beaver Falls, another Top 10 team and the section leader, and were defeated 83-61.

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."

A number of Avonworth football players have been named to the Eastern All-Conference Team.

Three players made the first team: on offense, Ricky Lawniczak; and on defense, Conor O’Donnell and Eddie Kurtz. Kurtz also was named “Defensive Player of the Year.”

Named to the second team were Brian Vales, Bryan Bartram, Andrew Niklaus and Elliot Miller on offense, and A.J. Mang on defense.

Receiving honorable mentions were: Ryan Schmid, Scott Barlek and Derick Ott on offense, and Michael Giampole and Jake Szolis on defense.

By JIM RUMBLE

Totally mismatched. That's the best way to sum up the game when Avonworth traveled to Robert Morris University to play Our Lady of Sacred Heart last Saturday.

The Antelopes, 7-1 and a good bet to at least claim a share of the Eastern Conference title, scored on seven of nine of their offensive possessions on their way to defeating the winless Chargers, who are in their maiden season, 54-6.

It was hard to tell what might happen in the beginning of the game especially after the Antelopes turned the ball over with a fumble on the game's opening possession.