PIAA Class 3A Title Game Preview: Avonworth

Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

Davin Ridall | December 5, 2025

AVONWORTH ANTELOPES vs NORTHWESTERN LEHIGH TIGERS

PIAA District 7 – Class 3A
WPIAL 3A Section 1
Head Coach: Duke Johncour

OVERVIEW

Avonworth is certainly no stranger to this stage, considering they made it year last season. The Antelopes also didn’t have to rely entirely on film to learn about who they were playing, as this Northwestern Lehigh team they are about to face was the same one that the Antelopes lost to a season ago. Last season Avonworth entered the title game with a 12-3 record, this time around they are entering with a perfect 14-0 record. This will be the Antelopes third appearance in the state title, their first coming back in 2019 where they suffered a record-setting 74-7 loss to Southern Columbia.

Last season, Avonworth’s season came to a close on Northwestern Lehigh’s first play of overtime when Eli Zimmerman scored on a 10 yard run that capped a 36-33 overtime victory for the Tigers. So what is it going to take for Avonworth to get the job done this time around and prevent Northwestern Lehigh from achieving back-to-back state championships?

2025 Avonworth Schedule

Key Players:

• Sr QB Carson Bellinger: In his senior year, this kid has put together career highs in every statistical category, currently sitting at 2,287 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only two interceptions, one of which came last week.
• Jr RB Dimitri Velisaris: This kid has been the engine of Avonworth’s rushing attack all season long, rushing for just under 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns, however he was sidelined last week in the semifinals due to an injury and his status is currently uncertain.
• Sr WR Luca Neal: This kid is no stranger to Northwestern Lehigh having rushed for 254 yards and 4 touchdowns in their matchup last year, but this season he took on more of a pure receiving role, currently leading the team in all receiving categories.

Keys to Winning

Offense: A big key on offense for Avonworth is going to come down to whether Dimitri Velisaris suits up for this game, as mentioned before he was sidelined in their win last week with a bruised leg. If Velisaris plays, they need to make sure they establish the run game against a Northwestern Lehigh defense that was one of the toughest in District 11. If Velisaris does not play in this game, expect to see a heavy dose of Luca Neal in the backfield or possibly the wildcat.

Defense: The biggest key on defense for Avonworth is going to be containing Shane Leh. Last season Northwestern Lehigh’s main weapon was reigning Class 3A Player of the Year Eli Zimmerman who ran for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns in last year’s matchup. With Zimmerman now graduated, Leh has been the biggest weapon for the Tigers, so containing this dual-threat quarterback is going to be important for the Antelopes if they are going to win this game.

Avonworth Antelopes Probable Starters

Offense

LT, 74, Peter Bonnet, 6-6, 300, Sr.

LG, 64, Tyler Hanny, 5-11, 255, Sr.

C, 76, Brad Hines, 5-11, 250, Jr.

RG, 72, Noah Neiss, 6-0, 235, So.

RT, 78, Harrison McAfee, 5-10, 255, Jr.

WR, 4, Luca Neal, 5-10, 185, Sr.

WR, 6, Jaden Jones, 6-3, 180, So.

QB, 3, Carson Bellinger, 5-11, 180, Sr.

TE/H, 88, Marco Arlia, 6-1, 220, Sr.

TE, 14, Evan Loutzenhiser, 6-2, 190, Sr.

HB, 23, Bryce Metz, 6-1, 205, Jr.

RB, 34, Dimitri Velisaris, 5-7, 175, Jr.

Defense

DE, 7, Romello Harris-Blanchard, 6-2, 190, So.

DL, 72, Noah Neiss, 6-0, 235, So.

DE, 88, Marco Arlia, 6-1, 220, Sr.

DL, 74 Peter Bonnet, 6-5 285, Sr.

OLB, 14, Evan Loutzenhiser, 6-2, 190, Sr.

LB, 1, Jackson Krul, 5-10, 190, Sr.

LB, 23, Bryce Metz, 6-1, 205, Jr.

LB, 33, Gavin McDowell, 5-10, 185, So.

S/LB, 4, Luca Neal, 5-11, 185, Sr.

S, 6, Jaden Jones, 6-3, 180, So.

C, 5, Cooper Scharding, 5-11, 200, Sr.

C, 11, Jack Crawford, 6-0, 170, Sr.

Special Teams

K, 31, Calder Mahan, 6-1, 165, Jr.

P, 31, Calder Mahan, 6-1, 165, Jr.

LS, 76, Brad Hines, 5-11, 250, Jr.

H, 3, Carson Bellinger, 5-11, 180, Sr.

KOR, 5, Cooper Scharding, 5-11, 200, Sr.

KOR, 21, Logan Krul, 5-7, 160, Fr.

PR, 5, Cooper Scharding, 5-11, 200, Sr.

Avonworth Antelopes 2 Deep