(Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh PA) - The Antelopes defense has four interceptions, two go for touchdowns, Avonworth wins back to back championships after a 30-6 victory against Imani Christian.
After an Avonworth punt pinned Imani Christian inside their own 15, the Antelopes Romello Harris-Blanchard read the screen pass attempt from Gabe Jenkins and took it for a 12-yard pick 6 to open up a 7-0 Avonworth lead in the first quarter.
On the next Antelopes possession, Luca Neal caught a tipped ball and ran for a 55 yard gain to the Imani Christian 15. End of the first quarter 7-0 Avonworth.
The Saints defense held Avonworth a 39 yard field goal attempt from Calder Mahan. He connected extending the Avonworth lead 10-0.
Imani Christian picked up a 17 yard run from David Davis, which moved the Saints to the Avonworth 35. A snap infraction changed a 4th and 2 to 4th and 7 for Imani Christian at the Avonworth 33-yard line. The Antelopes got their 2nd interception of the half with 3 minutes to play. Gavin McDowell intercepted the pass from Jenkins.
What looked like the pick six was the difference maker in the first half, Neal bursted 67 yards to the end zone to extend the Avonworth lead 17-0. Neal had 150 yards of total offense in the first half.
In the third quarter, Avonworth gets its second pick 6 of the game. Jaden Jones with the interception and return for a 45 yard touchdown. Avonworth extended the lead 24-0.
Jones finds pay dirt again, this time on offense. Carson Bellinger ran play action and threw a deep pass to Jones for a 37 yard touchdown. The extra point blocked, 30-0 Antelopes.
In the 4th quarter, Jenkins connected on a home run ball to David Davis for a 55 yard gain. Jenkins scored on the next play to get the Saints on the board.
Neal finished the game with 12 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown. He also had 3 catches for 63 yards.
“Back to back, it’s unbelievable. Kids played awesome. I’m just so thankful for the victory. They played their hearts out,” said head coach Duke Johncour.