Content about running back

10.07.11

Shut down

Despite the miserable weather conditions, both local varsity football teams had excellent games on the road last Saturday afternoon. Northgate shut down Wilkinsburg 31-0, and, pictured above, a mud-covered Avonworth running back Ricky Lawniczak leaps over a teammate in the Antelopes' 26-0 win over Riverview.

Both schools celebrate homecoming tonight, with Avonworth taking on section contender North Catholic, and Northgate hosting Leechburg.

Order an 8x10 print of this photo for only $15 (plus tax and shipping, if necessary) To order, call 412-766-6679 or e-mail the.citizen@verizon.net.

11.18.11

Rams end another 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." .

10.07.11

Flames rip through the air for 31-0 win over Wilkinsburg

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.

09.23.11

Antelopes find their stride against Tigers

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."

10.31.10

What the heck happened?

The score should have been a heck of a lot closer than 35-0 as the long-awaited match up between the Avonworth and Northgate football teams took place Friday night. The Flames just couldn't find their rhythm against a disciplined Antelope team, however. The shut-out proved costly for the Antelopes, who lost star running back Ricky Lawniczak to a broken collar bone as the conference champs head into the playoffs.

10.22.10

Flames’ offense continues to struggle

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames hit the road again last Saturday, and found themselves engaged in what is becoming a common theme for this team -- another defensive scrap. The 16-6 score doesn't accurately depict the closeness of this game. The Flames lost to the Riverview Raiders, but fought to the very end.

The Flames’ defense held the Raiders scoreless in the first quarter, forcing Riverview to punt after being unable to pick-up a first down on their first two drives.

10.16.10

Avonworth dominates Leechburg

A Leechburg running back doesn’t get far, thanks to Avonworth’s Dan Coulter.

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

Flames explode in season opener

By MEL PERKINS

It was a beautiful night for football at Northgate's Alumni Field. The Chargers of Our Lady of Sacred Heart arrived for their initiation into the WPIAL, and the Northgate Flames, as well as the Flames' faithful, welcomed the Chargers properly -- then the Flames properly lit up the scoreboard to spoil the Chargers' debut.

04.16.10

Zubik picks Mt. Union

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.

12.04.09

Zubik named MVP

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.

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

Antelopes to play Clairton tonight

Avonworth had no trouble shutting out Monaca in the first post-season game last Friday, but will face a real challenge when they play a tough Clairton team in the WPIAL quarterfinals tonight. The game will be played at Chartiers-Houston. Pictured above in last week’s game, the Antelopes’ offensive line provides protection for running back Jimmy Zubik (standing, at center) during the 27-0 win. “Lopes pictured include Andrew Puciata (#40), Veasar Cenceros (#56, on ground at left), Jeff Wehner (#55), Donte Ianelli (#66), and Slade O’Dell (#58).

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.

11.13.09

Football all-stars named

Avonworth running back Jimmy Zubik is the Class A Eastern Conference offensive player of the year. He also was named first team running back for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Other first team selections include offensive tackle Milton Loop, defensive lineman Mike Simmons, and linebacker Eddie Kurtz.

Second team selections include tight end Ben Kramer, offensive guard Matt Mamich and kicker Houston Hunt. Defensive second team selections are Mamich and Jeff Wehner.