Avonworth football star running back Jimmy Zubik has committed to play next year for Mount Union college in Alliance, OH.

Zubik, who was named all-state, all-conference and all-district, rushed for 1,319 yards and scored 19 touchdowns for the Antelopes last season.

Running back Jimmy Zubik proved to be valuable to more than just the Avonworth Antelopes. Zubik, pictured above at right with Avonworth assistant coach Joe Zeglowitsch, was named the most valuable player (MVP) for his performance in a game that pitted all-stars from northern WPIAL teams against all-stars from city schools and southern WPIAL teams at Cupples Stadium on Nov. 21.

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.

The Monaca Indians never had a chance to repeat their 2008 playoff performance against Avonworth. The Beaver Valley team was shut out by the Antelopes 27-0 Friday night at Lenzner Field.

The Indians could not contain Jimmy Zubik, who rushed for two touchdowns and caught a pass for a third. Ryan Schmid scored the 'Lopes' fourth TD of the evening.

The game also featured some nice defensive plays, including an interception by Brian Vales.

Avonworth will play Clairton in the next round of the playoffs this coming Friday, location to be announced.

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.

Local football fans who survived a rainy first half got to see the real action in Friday night's games.

Avonworth found that the Carlynton Cougars came to play, as the visitors limited the Antelopes to seven first half points, keeping quarterback Tom Turnbull scrambling and targeting receiver Jimmy Zubik.

The Cougars couldn't hold the 'Lopes forever, however. The second half saw three Red touchdowns. Zubik scored three TDs on the night, while Turnbull added another and Brian Vales brought down an interception.

The final score was 27-0 Avonworth.

Two senior Avon-worth athletes shared the spotlight in an Oct. 2 assembly when KDKA awarded Molly Frew the "Extra Effort Award," and ESPN Radio 1250 named Jimmy Zubik “Athlete of the Week.”

Introducing Molly, KDKA news personality Bob Pompeani said that Molly "…exemplifies all that can be expected from a star athlete."

Basketball coach Bob Schulz described Molly as "…an outstanding athlete with a tremendous work ethic," adding, "…and she's always smiling!"

In addition to basketball, Molly runs cross country and plays softball.

The award included a $200 check for the school.

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.

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.

Last night's high school football games went full force into the final moments of the games, unlike past weeks when the local teams' fates were pretty much decided shortly after half time.

Both local varsity football teams took to the road Friday night, where they ended up in some high-scoring games.

The numbers worked in favor of the Avonworth Antelopes, who brought home a 34-19 win over Neshannock. Antelope stand-out Jimmy Zubik scored three touchdowns and pulled down an interception, while teammmate Eddie Kurtz returned a fumble recovery for another touchdown. Quarterback Tom Turnbull added another TD to the scoreboard. Defensively, Ryan Schmid and Andrew Niklaus had interceptions for the 'Lopes.