WPIAL 3A Championship Marks Imani Christian’s First Loss of 2025

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Brett Gombita | November 22, 2025

Four turnovers by the Imani Christian Saints were the difference in the WPIAL 3A Championship Game, as the Avonworth Antelopes were victorious, 30-6.

Junior quarterback Gabe Jenkins scored an early fourth quarter touchdown to avoid the shutout.

“I’m proud of what these young men have accomplished. It hurts, obviously,” Imani Christian head coach LaRoi Johnson said. “My family didn’t raise me to be a second place guy.” 

Imani Christian won the toss and elected to receive. They went three-and-out, but the punt bounced off an Avonworth player and was recovered by sophomore David Campbell. Shortly after, Imaini Christian punted again, this time pinning Avonworth on its own six-yard line.

Avonworth punted, then Jenkins was picked off on a third-and-16 by Romello Harris-Blanchard, who returned it for a touchdown for the game’s first score.

Avonworth was threatening to score another touchdown early in the second quarter, but a false start penalty and a TFL by Jenkins forced the Antelopes to settle for a field goal, making it 10-0.

The two teams traded punts, giving Imani Christian the ball with just under five minutes left in the first half.

Imani Christian had a fourth-and-short on the Avonworth 28-yard line, but a snap infraction set them back five yards. They still elected to go for it, and Jenkins threw his second interception.

Avonworth scored points off the turnover, extending it to a 17-0 game before the half.

“There wasn’t one play that they ran or defensive front that we didn’t go over,” Johnson said. “I’ll take responsibility for that.”

Imani Christian forced a punt to begin the third quarter. Backed up on the own seven-yard line, Jenkins threw his third interception and second pick-six, this one to Jaden Jones, putting Imani Christiain down by 24.

Jones then hauled in a 37-yard touchdown reception to put Avonworth up by 30. Imani Christian blocked the extra point.

Jenkins threw his fourth interception of the game to Jack Crawford. Avonworth still led 30-0 after three quarters of play.

After throwing a deep ball to the one-yard line to senior David Davis, Jenkins scored on the second play of the fourth quarter to put Imani Christian on the board. They were then unsuccessful on both the 2-point attempt and an onside kick try.

IMANI CHRISTIAN IS ON THE BOARD‼️➡️ @gaballday4 get the Saints 6 points!! (2-PT conv. ❌)@ICAFOOTBALL 6@AvonworthFB 30

11:45 | 4th Quarter@PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard pic.twitter.com/vwWjhH54Zm

— Ethan Spozarski (@SpozarskiEthan) November 23, 2025

The two teams traded possessions the rest of the game with neither team finding paydirt.

The closest Imani Christian game of the season up to this point had been a 19-12 win over Clairton. Today, their season ended at 12-1.

“The game played out exactly how we thought it was going to play out,” Johnson said. “It’s just lack of execution. That’s what it came down to.”

For photos from the game, click here

For more information on the PIAA 1A Bracket, click the image below:

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