Content about Jason Kekseo

08.26.11

By JIM RUMBLE

With the 2011 football season about to get underway, new Avonworth head coach Duke Johncour seems optimistic about taking over a program that has done a complete turnaround over the last several years.

Gone is former head coach Jason Kekseo, who compiled a 31-6 record over the last three seasons that included two conference titles and two appearances in the WPIAL semis.

"The program was established and that's a good thing," said Johncour.

"I'm coming into a very good situation. The kids are working hard, but we have a lot of holes to fill," he added.

03.25.11

Johncour picked to lead ’Lopes

Assistant Avonworth football coach Derek Johncour will take over as head coach for the Antelopes.

Johncour was hired by the Avonworth School Board at a special meeting last Thursday evening, just days after parents appealed to the school board to rectify the situation created when officials declined to rehire former head coach Jason Kekseo.

03.18.11

Where’s the coach?

The Avonworth School District is about to find out what the loss of super coach Jason Kekseo will do to the varsity football program.

Although officials are remaining tight-lipped about the circumstances, citing confidential personnel matters, Kekseo has not taught physical education at the school since January, and the district recently posted the head varsity football coach position.

11.26.10

Season ends in semifinals for ’Lopes

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."

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.

11.05.10

Pink Out

Avonworth Head Coach Jason Kekseo paces the sidelines.

11.05.10

The seven year switch

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."

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

‘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.

08.27.10

‘Lopes field strong “supporting cast”

By JIM RUMBLE

Despite having lost a considerable number of good senior players from last year's squad, Avonworth head coach Jason Kekseo, in his sixth season at the helm, is convinced that this year's team is one of the better squads to take the field. Although fans are unlikely to see the “superstars” of seasons past, Kekseo says that the “supporting cast” is better than ever.

07.09.10

Summer Fun

The Avonworth football team took home its first hotdog eating trophy in the third annual event last Friday. Pictured above with head coach Jason Kekseo, the Antelopes slipped past their Northgate opponents in a tie-breaking round. A number of people commented on how spiffy the ‘Lopes looked with their names on the back of their jerseys.

12.04.09

Familiar face to lead Avonworth boys

Someone once said that familiarity breeds contempt. Well, in the case of Avonworth athletics, familiarity seems to breed winning seasons and playoff runs, and hopes are high the practice will be as successful for the boys’ basketball team as it was for the football program.

11.20.09

Avonworth shut out by Clairton

Costly mistakes and a few big plays -- forces that helped Avonworth beat Monaca in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs -- worked against the 'Lopes last week when they faced a much faster Clairton team at Chartiers-Houston.

The speedier Bears' defense shut down Avonworth's offense in the quarterfinals and Avonworth was shut out for the first time this season, 24-0.

The loss knocked the 'Lopes out of the WPIAL playoffs, ending their season with a record of 8-3 overall.

11.13.09

Big plays help ‘Lopes shut out Monaca

The Avonworth Antelope offense was firing on all cylinders with big plays last Friday, ensuring the playoff-loss to Monaca suffered by the 'Lopes last season was not repeated.

"We lived up to Avonworth football expectations tonight," head coach Jason Kekseo said after the game.

Last season, Avonworth's hopes of playing at Heinz Field ended with a loss to the Indians in the final seconds of the semi-final game. This year, the 'Lopes shut out Monaca 27-0. The win advances Avonworth (8-2) to the WPIAL quarterfinals, where they will play Clairton tonight at Chartiers-Houston.

11.06.09

North Catholic takes section title from ‘Lopes

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.

10.30.09

Antelopes head for section title after 41-8 win

The Riverview Raiders’ hopes for a win last week were put to sleep early by a heavy dose of Avonworth's running game, and the defense held a shut-out until the fourth quarter to give Avonworth the win, 41-8, on senior night.

And just because it was senior night didn't mean only the upperclassmen played. Head coach Jason Kekseo said that every member of the team that was dressed to play saw game time.

10.23.09

‘Lopes’ defense secures win over Leechburg Blue Devils

Bad field conditions, cold weather and a light drizzle slowed down the 'Lopes’ offense last week against Leechburg. But that didn't matter. The defense came up with two scores on turnovers and carried Avonworth to their sixth win of the season, 21-6.

The game was the 'Lopes' first of the season on a muddy grass field, and it showed. Avonworth's offense was unable to put any points on the board until the final play from scrimmage in the first half.

Head coach Jason Kekseo said that the bad weather and "terrible field conditions" were not conducive to their fast-paced offense.

10.16.09

Antelopes rally in second half to defeat Cougars

Except for one quick score, it took almost the whole first half of last Friday's section match-up against the Carlynton Cougars for Avonworth's offense to finally get its engine going.

Nonetheless, on the wheels of Jimmy Zubik, the 'Lopes picked up the shut-out win at Lenzner Field, 27-0, and improved to 5-1 on the season.

"We came together as a team in the second half," head coach Jason Kekseo said.

The match-up marked the most intense, hard-hitting game of the year, with both sides playing until, and sometimes after, every whistle.

10.03.09

Football highlights

No one was leaving the game early when Avonworth hosted Springdale Friday night. The two evenly matched teams battled it out until the final seconds of a game that proved frustrating for the Antelopes.

The red defense forced four turnovers, while the offense moved within 10 yards of the goal line several times without being able to capitalize.

Springdale put the first score on the board just before halftime, and led 7-0 until less than two minutes remained in the game. Avonworth's Jimmy Zubik ran in for the 'Lopes' first and only score.