Content about Jake Szolis

11.21.10

Antelopes take out Trojans in quarterfinals

By JIM RUMBLE

It wasn't pretty, nonetheless the Avonworth Antelopes did what they need to do in their quarterfinal match-up against North Catholic last Friday.

The 'Lopes for the most part had trouble finding their rythym on offense, but took advantage of several turnovers by the Trojans on their way to a 17-3 win.

North Catholic came into this match-up without starting quarterback Martin Long, who had been sidelined with a broken fibula and has missed the playoffs.

Avonworth was hampered by penalties, as they were assessed nine for 105 yards.

11.13.10

Antelopes battle back for first round win

By JIM RUMBLE

The first round of the WPIAL playoffs proved to be a tough game for Avonworth, who hosted Brentwood last Friday night. After trailing at halftime, the Antelopes battled back in the second half to defeat the Spartans 28-21.

The most dramatic point in the game came late in the fourth quarter, when Ryan Schmid returned a punt 95 yards to seal the win for the Antelopes, who will move on to face North Catholic in a quarterfinal game to be played at Fox Chapel at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

11.13.10

Players named

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.

10.31.10

Avonworth vs. OLSH

Ryan Schmid opens a clear path for Jake Szolis.

10.31.10

OLSH is no match for Antelopes

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.

10.22.10

‘Lopes survive fourth quarter surge

By JIM RUMBLE For three and a half quarters it looked as though the Avonworth football team locked in on another dominating performance when they hosted Beth-Center in a non-conference game last Friday. That was until the Antelopes surrendered two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter but managed to hang on to defeat the Buldogs 28-20. "We just made too many mistakes, too many mental errors," said head coach Jason Kekseo. The 'Lopes got a balanced offensive effort led by quarterback Brian Vales, who threw three TD passes with 197 yards through the air.

10.16.10

Avonworth dominates Leechburg

By JIM RUMBLE

It was a game that illustrated total dominance when the Avonworth Antelopes hosted Leechburg last Friday.

Led by Ricky Lawniczak, who rushed for 101 yards and scored three touchdowns -- all in the first half -- the 'Lopes cruised to victory over the Blue Devils 54-0.

“Ricky is such a downhill runner," coach Jason Kekseo said after the game. "Our offensive line started taking it personally and they got fired up. Once the offensive line starts rolling -- it all starts up front," Kekseo said.

10.08.10

Avonworth scores another shut-out

By JIM RUMBLE

It was suppose to be a tough match when Avonworth hosted Riverview on the Antelopes’ homecoming night last Friday.

For the third consecutive game, however, the Antelopes kept their opponent off the scoreboard as they disposed of the Raiders 35-0.

The win puts the 4-1 'Lopes in a tie with Springdale atop the Eastern Conference, with Canevin and North Catholic close behind at 3-1, with one less conference game played.

"We have a team with good, strong character," head coach Jason Kekseo said after the win last week.

09.24.10

“Bored” ’Lopes leap over Tigers 28-0

By JIM RUMBLE

Facing one of the weaker teams in the section last Friday, the Avonworth Antelopes upped their record to 2-1 on the season, defeating Wilkinsburg on the road 28-0.

The Tigers, who have secured only two wins over the past five years, didn't do much to excite the 'Lopes in a contest that coach Jason Kekseo termed as boring.

The spotlight was again on running back Ricky Lawniczak, who rushed for 136 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Avonworth went right to work on offense with their first possession, moving 66 yards for the game's first score.

09.17.10

Shut out

There were two shut-outs tonight as the local high school football teams took to the road.

Bishop Canevin claimed another victim, completely dousing the Northgate Flames in a 42-0 game at Dormont Stadium.

Avonworth's trip to Wilkinsburg produced a more favorable result. The Antelopes beat their hosts 28-0. Ricky Lawniczak scored two touchdowns, with Jake Szolis adding a third. Szolis also was responsible for the blocked punt that Mike Giampole recovered in the end zone to round out the Antelopes' tally.

09.17.10

‘Lopes pound Dynamos

BY JIM RUMBLE

It was a game the players eagerly awaited when Avonworth hosted #3 ranked Springdale last Friday. Having a sense that this was a “must-win” only two games into the season, the Antelopes delivered with an exciting 26-10 win over the Dynamos.

The 'Lopes were led by quarterback Brian Vales, who threw two TD passes and ran for one. They also got a huge performance from running back Ricky Lawniczak, who scored a touchdown while rushing for 187 yards.

09.10.10

Turnovers prove costly in Avonworth opener

By JIM RUMBLE

In their opening game of the 2010 football season last Friday, the Avonworth Antelopes appeared to be in control early, but could not overcome five turnovers as they were defeated by Bishop Canevin at Dormont Stadium, 21-14.

"We handed the game to them." said head coach Jason Kekseo. "Not only did we hand it to them, I think we gift wrapped it too."

The Crusaders also managed to take advantage of two big plays offensively to get back into the game before scoring the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

10.05.09

Avonworth vs. Springdale

The Avonworth defense moves in to take down a Dynamo runner: Mike Simmons (34), Eddie Kurtz (45), Donte Ianelli (66) and Jake Szolis (33).

10.02.09

Antelopes outrun Tigers for 41-12 win

First team, second team, it didn’t seem to matter as the Avonworth Antelopes rolled over the Wilkinsburg Tigers last Friday, 41-12.

"We got a lot of people playing tonight," head coach Jason Kekseo said after the game.

The section away game started slow, with only seven points scored in the first quarter, but picked up quick in the second. By halftime, Avonworth led the Tigers 34-0.

Four different Antelopes scored touchdowns in the victory that improves the 'Lopes’ record to 4-0 overall, and 2-0 in section play.

09.26.09

Friday night highlights

With nary an anarchist in sight, the Flames and the Antelopes focused their collective attentions Friday night on winning some football games. The effort worked out well for the 'Lopes, who remain undefeated, but not so well for Northgate, which remains winless.

The Avonworth team navigated their way around G-20 detours and road closures to reach Wilkinsburg, where they pulled down a 41-12 win. Jimmy Zubik continued his impressive play, scoring three touchdowns that included one on an interception. Jake Szolis, Mike Simmons and Brian Vales had touchdowns as well.