Belle Vernon Looking to Continue Momentum against Avonworth in 3A WPIAL Title Game

Tagged under: District 7, News, Playoffs, Podcasts

Nate Grella | November 24, 2022

Is it finally time? After years of grinding in the WPIAl playoffs and heartbreaking losses to Thomas Jefferson and Aliquippa, is this finally the year of the Leopards?

There hasn’t been a 3A team that has even come close to them. That’s how the season has been for the Belle Vernon Leopards. With their only losses coming to 4A playoff team McKeesport and 5A playoff team Penn Trafford, Belle Vernon has had their cake and ate it too. Playing teams above their classification that posed challenges along with showing their dominance against their own.

For the Avonworth Antelopes, it’s a continuation of growth. Three years ago, the Antelopes went all the way to the 2A state championship, winning their first WPIAL championship since 1958 along the way. A season after, the Lopes moved to 3A and immediately made the playoffs, and have been steadily improving. Now they’re back.

Both of these teams have relied on big time rushing attacks. For the Leopards, the obvious answer is Quinton Martin, who passed 1000 yards rushing in the semifinal against Freeport. Martin has also been huge in the passing game, with over 350 yards. While Martin has been battling a nagging injury all season, Jake Gedekoh has stepped up as the 1B to Martin, rushing for 618 yards himself.

For the Lopes, it’s been a mix. Nate Harper has been dynamic at QB, passing for 1403 yards and 18 TDs. Luke Hilyard has been the power back for the Lopes with over 1200 yards, while in the passing game, five players have over 100 yards on the season.

The biggest weakness for the Antelopes could come in that passing game. Should Belle Vernon shut down Luke Hilyard, like they did Benny Lane a week ago, the Leopards can rely on two of the top defensive backs in the classification in Alonzo Wade and Quinton Martin.

For the Leopards, it’s a battle against history. The Leopards have never won at Acrisure Stadium among two appearances, while the Antelopes have never played there. Will history prevail again? Or can the Leopards create their own?

All WPIAL Title Games broke down here:

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