A WPIAL finalist last season, Avonworth again has high expectations
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Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | 12:54 AM
Avonworth’s Brandon Biagiarelli works out during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Ohio Twp.
Avonworth’s Andrew Kuban works out during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Ohio Twp.
Avonworth’s Brandon Biagiarelli works out during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Ohio Twp.
Avonworth quarterback Andrew Blackson throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Ohio Twp.
Avonworth’s Brandon Biagiarelli works out during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Ohio Twp.
Avonworth’s Charlie Koebel, Ben Barnes, Luke Garda, Brandon Biagiarelli, Nik Engelmore, Andrew Kuban and Hunter Blackson at 2023 media day Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.
The way Avonworth’s season concluded last year left a sour taste in the Antelopes’ mouths.
No. 2 Avonworth’s season came to a close at Acrisure Stadium after a 24-7 loss to No. 1 Belle Vernon in the WPIAL Class 3A championship.
The Lopes, who finished 11-2 overall and 6-0 in the Western Hills Conference, hope to return to Acrisure in a tough Class 3A but need to replace their top passer and rusher from a season ago.
Avonworth returns its top tackler — senior linebacker Brandon Biagiarelli, the Western Hills Conference defensive MVP who led the Lopes with 91 tackles.
Biagiarelli, a Bucknell commit, will take the bulk of the carries for Antelopes after the graduation of Luke Hilyard. Last season, Biagiarelli was second on the team with 537 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Hilyard finished with 1,314 yards with 16 rushing touchdowns.
Junior Nico Neal and senior Luke Hollywood will also split carries.
The Antelopes have to replace the production under center after the graduation of Nate Harper. Last season, Harper threw for 1,530 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Sophomore Carson Bellinger and senior Hunter Blackson will battle for snaps at quarterback this year.
“Replacing a good group of seniors is always tough, but that’s what you do when you build good programs. You try to coach kids up, get them experience and reps and develop them where they will be able to compete so you don’t have a very big drop off when you lose really good players,” coach Duke Johncour said.
“We are hoping that is the case here. A lot of the guys aren’t battle-tested, so we will see how they perform when the whistle blows.”
The Antelopes return four starters on offense and seven on defense.
The quarterbacks will have some help this season as the Antelopes’ top target from last season returns. Senior receiver Andrew Kuban led Avonworth with 431 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Senior Jackson Vogt, who lined up as the fifth receiver last year, will start this year.
Avonworth returns two on the offensive line — senior guard Zach Dimtroff and junior Mason Metz. Sophomore Peter Bonnet and junior Nik Engelmore will become full-time starters this year after getting some snaps last year.
On defense, the Lopes look to replace the departure of Gabe Bonnet, who led the team with 12 sacks.
Seniors Ben Barnes and Nick Fenters return as starters on the defensive line. The Lopes return all four linebackers — Biagiarelli, Blackson, Neal and Kuban.
The secondary will have the biggest turnover as Vogt returns as the only starter.
“We have a lot of key pieces coming back. We have a lot of skill and young guys coming up,” Biagiarelli said.
“I think we have everything we need. I think it is just about coming together, which I think will come with time, but it’s super exciting.”
Avonworth will have three nonconference matchups against playoff teams. The Antelopes open their regular season against Grove City, the defending District 10 champion.
Avonworth follows with Central Valley and Sto-Rox before opening conference play against Hopewell.
“Coming out of the chute, we are going to be battle-tested for sure. Those nonconference teams will allow us to figure out who we are as a team,” Johncour said.
“I like our chances matching every Friday night in our conference but you never know. I think every team is going to have good athletes and be able to do some good things.”
Avonworth
Coach: Duke Johncour
2022 record: 11-2, 6-0 in Class 3A Western Hills Conference
All-time record: 440-508-15
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.25 at Grove City, 7
9.1 Central Valley, 7
9.8 at Sto-Rox, 7
9.15 Hopewell*, 7
9.22 at South Park*, 7
9.29 West Mifflin*, 7
10.6 at Beaver*, 7:30
10.13 North Catholic, 7
10.20 Seton LaSalle*, 7
10.27 at Quaker Valley*, 7
*Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Nate Harper*
118-209 1,530 yards, 18 TDs
Rushing: Luke Hilyard*
201-1,314 yards, 16 TDs
Receiving: Andrew Kuban
28-431 yards, 4 TDs
*Graduated
FAST FACTS
• Duke Johncour enters his 13th season as head coach at Avonworth. His teams have reached the district playoffs in 11 of his 12 years and his record is 97-37.
• Avonworth has won two WPIAL football championships. The first came in 1959 when the team tied Union, 13-13, in the Class A title game and was declared co-champ. The second title came when the Lopes beat Washington, 28-6, to win the 2019 Class 2A crown.
• The Antelopes have captured seven conference titles in program history.
• This is the 110th season of Avonworth football.
Tags: Avonworth
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