Antelopes trample Quaker Valley

&emsp;&emsp;It was the perfect opportunity for the Avonworth Antelopes football team to rest some players when they traveled to Quaker Valley last Friday.&emsp;&emsp;The 'Lopes improved their overall record to 5-2, and sit atop the Western Hills Conference at 3-0 after trampling the Quakers 46-7. Quaker Valley entered the game with one victory on the season&emsp;&emsp;Tailback Dimitri Velisaris led the way, rushing 21 times for 159 yards including three touchdowns.&emsp;&emsp;"We did what we had to do," said coach Duke Johncour. "We just need to clean up a few things, and I'm happy about some of the play of our younger players."&emsp;&emsp;The 'Lopes went all in with Velisaris on the game's opening possession, as he carried the ball on eight rushes and completed the 70-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. Calder Mahan's extra point kick was true, and Avonworth went in front 7-0.&emsp;&emsp;The Quakers were forced to begin the ensuing drive from their own 5 yard line, and on second down and 10, Mason Metz recorded a safety, tackling the ball carrier in the end zone and moving the Antelopes to a 9-0 lead.&emsp;&emsp;Quaker Valley punted the ball for the next kick-off, and Jack Crawford's 16-yard return had Avonworth beginning their offense from the Quakers' 40. After an 8-yard pick-up by Velisaris on first down, Jackson Krul took a pitch-out to the left and threw the ball to Crawford for a 32-yard touchdown. Mahan's kick on the PAT attempt was blocked, so the 'Lopes were leading 15-0 with 7:07 left in the first quarter.&emsp;&emsp;Avonworth took advantage later in the period when the Quakers were forced to punt from deep in their own end, and a decent return of the ball by Cooper Scharding set the 'Lope offense at the QV 23. The two-play possession was capped by Crawford's over-the-shoulder catch on a pass from Carson Bellinger that resulted in an 18-yard touchdown. Mahan made good on the PAT to extend the lead by the Antelopes to 22-0.&emsp;&emsp;Quaker Valley's ensuing drive was short-lived after a sack by Metz, and Avonworth again found themselves in good position to start their next drive from &emsp; the QV 41. Krul began the drive with a 16-yard run, and a succession of runs by Achilles Heinold and Sam Zahn brought the ball to the QV 13.&emsp;&emsp;After a 7-yard run by Bellinger, the drive stalled but was completed by Mahan's 23-yard field goal to move the 'Lopes ahead 25-0 around a minute and a half into the second quarter.&emsp;&emsp;The Quakers were able to capitalize on an interception as time was winding down to halftime. They mixed it up on offense, starting from their 44 yard line, and finished off a seven-play drive with a 4-yard TD run and PAT to trail 25-7 going into halftime.&emsp;&emsp;Avonworth continued to move the ball on the ground to start the third quarter, mostly with rushes by Velisaris, who capped a 12-play 59-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. Mahan converted the extra point kick and the 'Lopes upped their lead to 32-7.&emsp;&emsp;The Antelopes took advantage of a Quaker Valley fumble that occurred on the first play of the fourth quarter, with a strip by Matty Harper and a recovery by Crawford at the QV 40. Velisaris completed the six-play drive with a 4-yard TD run, followed by Mahan's PAT to lead 39-7.&emsp;&emsp;A Quaker fumble late in the game helped set up Avonworth's final score. Luke Chrissis capped a 56- yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run, and Mahan added the extra point kick to wrap up the 46-7 victory.&emsp;&emsp;Avonworth (5-2, 3-0) hosts McGuffey (0-6, 0-4) tonight at 7 p.m. &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp;