SAFR Football Helmet Covers: Safer Through Science
 
PA Football News Scoreboard powered by Circle W Sports
 
 
Leading Edge Fundraising
 
 
 

Avonworth takes care of West Mifflin on senior night

 
Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, pfn, WPIAL

| October 17, 2026

The defending state champion Avonworth Antelopes of class 3A are where they are because of veteran pedigree – and these Lopes can beat you in more ways than one.

Avonworth took an early lead with two touchdown drives on their first two possessions, and when the rain came down hard, their defense didn’t let the West Mifflin Titans back in the game. Senior running back Dimitri Velisaris and sophomore quarterback Mason Mobley broke the game open on the ground in the third quarter, and the Lopes cruised to a 33-6 victory.  

With a large group of seniors integral to last year’s team looking to repeat in 2026, senior night felt extra special this year. 

“It’s super special,” Dimitri Velisaris said after his two-touchdown performance. “I grew up playing with them [his fellow seniors]. They’re all my great friends, and I love them so much.” 

Velisaris set the tone early with a 47-yard run on the first play from scrimmage, then broke outside on a counter and scored the opening-drive touchdown (Bryce Metz with the pancake block!). 

After a 3-and-out from the West Mifflin offense and a short punt around midfield, the Lopes went to the wildcat with junior ATH Romello Harris to move the chains and then eventually took a shot downfield.

Mason Mobley connected on a deep pass over the middle to star wide receiver Jaden Jones, who caught it in stride and impressively kept both feet in bounds in the back of the end zone. 

But that pass was one of the few completions for the rest of the night, as heavy rain picked up by the start of the second quarter and didn’t let up, making it difficult for both offenses before halftime. 

After a pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by senior lineman Linwood Snyder and intercepted by 2027 LB Elijah Rudolph, the West Mifflin offense went backward. A blocked punt by Lehigh commit Bryce Metz, who was flying all over the field and showing his physicality in all three phases, set Avonworth with great field position. 

But then the Lopes turned it over on downs, and Titans quarterback Zawaun Glover showed off his athleticism with a few positive runs to get beyond midfield. But on a 2nd-and-long, Glover fumbled the snap to put them behind the chains, and on the next play, the snap went over the head of Glover, and after failing to pick it up, Avonworth fell on it. 

After picking up a few first downs on the ground, the clock wasn’t in the Lopes’ favor. Trying to get in the end zone, or at least closer to field goal range, Mobley threw a pass over Teddy Sweeney’s head into the arms of 2029 DB Brandonn Taylor, leaving the Titans down by only two possessions going into the second half. 

But Avonworth’s defense didn’t let up, and West Mifflin’s opening drive in the third quarter once again went backward. Despite the athletic backfield of Glover and 4-star running back Armand Hill, the Lopes dominated the line of scrimmage and kept forcing third downs at or beyond the sticks. The sloppy conditions made it even harder to convert against a stout defense, as West Mifflin couldn’t find any downfield passing game. 

A Jaden Jones punt return from midfield almost went to the house, setting up a tough hold and a 26-yard kick by Calder Mahan to put Avonworth up three possessions. 

From there, the West Mifflin defense began to tire after a strong effort to keep the game close. Mason Mobley showed off his speed to move the sticks, and Velisaris cashed in the dagger from five yards out to extend the lead. 

“[I] Woke up this morning and found out it was going to rain,” Velisaris said. “We had to plan for the run game. The line did an amazing job, and I can’t thank them more for that.” 

Avonworth (7-1, 3-0) has two road games before they begin their quest to defend their back-to-back WPIAL titles and last year’s state championship. Their Week 10 matchup against Propel Braddock Hills will be a rematch of last year’s WPIAL 3A championship game and will determine the section title.

 
 
CWTAP TV
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
CoachComm Cobalt Plus All-In-One
 
LSV Sports - Covering high school sports in the Lehigh and Susquehanna Valleys
 
 
 
x