Avonworth exacts revenge with PIAA Class 3A championship
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Luca Neal ran for 123 yards and three scores as Avonworth completed a perfect season and gained redemption in beating Northwestern Lehigh 31-7 Saturday in the PIAA Class 3A championship at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field.
| Final | |
| Avonworth | 31 |
| NW Lehigh | 7 |
The Antelopes (15-0) lost to Northwestern Lehigh 36-33 in overtime in last year’s championship. This is their first state title.
The loss snapped a 31-game winning streak by Northwestern Lehigh (15-1).
The Antelopes ended the game with 24 unanswered points and enjoyed a 389-187 advantage in total yards. Quarterback Carson Bellinger completed 9-of-11 passes for 248 yards, seven of the completions to Jaden Jones for 187 yards.
Avonworth scored on its first play, a 53-yard pass from Bellinger to Jones.
Northwestern Lehigh responded with an 11-play, 87-yard drive, tying the game on Braxton Lakatosh’s 2-yard run and Chase Sukanick’s PAT with 5:11 in the first period.
Avonworth scored on its next three possessions, extending its lead to 24-7 by halftime.
Neal’s third TD, an 8-yard run, made it 31-7 with 9:01 remaining. Neal finished with 184 total yards, made six tackles and a forced fumble.
Avonworth turned the ball over four times but had three takeaways. The Antelopes did not punt.
The Tigers managed only 48 rushing yards on 28 attempts and were held to minus-2 rushing yards in the second half. They converted just 3-of-13 third downs. They turned it over on downs four times.
Northwestern Lehigh has gone 46-2 over the past three seasons. It lost the 2023 PIAA championship game to Bell Vernon 38-7.
Avonworth had just two close games all season. It beat Aliquippa, a PIAA Class 4A semifinalist, 23-7 in Week 3. It held off Penn Cambria 31-15 in the PIAA semifinals.
Northwestern Lehigh found little resistance during the playoffs, beating Scranton Prep 42-14 in the quarterfinals and District 3 champ Trinity 48-13 in the semifinals.
Northwestern’s biggest win of the year came in the regular season finale, 36-28 over Southern Lehigh, which went on to beat Twin Valley 43-21 to win the PIAA Class 4A championship.
