The Northgate Flames exploded into Class A competition last Friday night, obliterating the OLSH Chargers’ WPIAL debut. It took the Flames until the second half to heat up, but a stunning third quarter performance contributed to the 44-6 win for the home team. Pictured above, quarterback Jon Girvin looks for an opening. Girvin scored four of Northgate’s touchdowns. The Flames remain at home tonight, taking on Jefferson Morgan at Alumni Field at 7:30 p.m.

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames (5-1, 5-2) were caught napping last Friday night at Alumni Stadium. In a squeaker of a game, the Flames were handed a 20-19 loss when the Apollo Ridge Vikings (4-2, 4-3) kicked a field goal with just seconds left on the clock.

The loss was Northgate's second of the season, but their first in the Eastern Conference.

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames (5-0, 5-1) bounced back from their non-conference loss to Sto-Rox and recorded their second shutout of the season, blanking the Leechburg Blue Devils by the score of 20-0 last Friday.

Mack Quinn, with a team-high 22 tackles, led the Flames’ defense, but there was a whole host of defensive players who made their presence felt against the Blue Devils. And, Leechburg had no answer for the speedy Cody Walter, who racked up 260 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

By MEL PERKINS

The Flames kicked off their 2012 season last Friday with a shut out, sending Riverview home on the losing side of a 25-0 score.

Northgate kicked off to the Raiders, and, after a short return, Riverview started their drive on their 35 yard line. Mac Quinn made his presence felt early, as he put pressure on the Raiders’ QB, and absolutely destroyed the Riverview running back in their backfield for a two yard loss.

The Northgate School Board took a few minutes Monday evening to acknowledge the accomplishments of several student athletes, as well as their coaches.

Two members of the varsity football team have been named to the WPIAL Class A All Conference first team. Jon Girvin took the honors as quarterback, and Jake Abernethy as wide receiver.

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.

By MEL PERKINS

On Saturday afternoon, in the muck and the mire of what was Wilkinsburg's Graham Field, the Northgate Flames (3-2, 2-2) bounced back from a two- game losing streak by blanking the Wilkinsburg Tigers (0-5, 0-5) by the score of 31-0.

The foul weather had little effect on the Flames' air attack, as quarterback Jon Girvin threw four touchdown passes, three of those going to wide receiver Jake Abernethy. Abernethy led the team in receiving, with four catches for a total of 85 yards.

By JIM RUMBLE

With a little help from their opponent, the Avonworth football team picked up a hard fought victory in Springdale last Friday.

Scoring on their first possession and maintaining a 7-0 lead into the fourth quarter, the Antelopes surrendered a touchdown late but earned their first win of the season when the Dynamos missed on the extra point try for a 7-6 victory.

"It was a physical game," said head coach Duke Johncour.

"Our hats off to Springdale, they played hard and they're physical, but we did what we had to do to win the football game."

A “Night at the Races” to benefit the Northgate Quarterback Club will be held Friday, June 3, at the American Legion, South Home Avenue, in Avalon.

The benefit will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight, with dinner at 7:15 p.m., and the races at 8 p.m. A D.J. will follow the races.

Cost is $15, which includes dinner, snacks, mixers, beer and wine.

Tickets and horses ($10) can be purchased from any Northgate football player or call Marita at (412)734-8792.

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.

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."