Belle Vernon and Avonworth began the 2023 high school football season with the same goal: a return trip to Acrisure Stadium to play in the WPIAL Class 3A title game.
Both schools have now reached that goal and will play “Let’s Do It Again” come Friday at 5 p.m.
Belle Vernon will try to defend its title, while Avonworth will try to avenge its title-game loss.
"Acrisure Stadium is where you want to get to," Avonworth coach Duke Johncour said. "We were not satisfied with last year's outcome. It's great to be back here again with another opportunity to play Belle Vernon in the title game."
Belle Vernon coach Matt Humbert has similar feelings on the Leopards' return trip to Acrisure.
"The goal that really consumes you during the season is to get back there," Humbert said. "In theory, you might think we could take a breath now that we've made it back. But we have to prepare for the biggest game of the year."
Belle Vernon (10-1) earned the No. 1 seed by winning the Interstate Conference. The Leopards claimed their spot in the finals with two convincing victories against Deer Lakes, 49-6, in the quarterfinals, and East Allegheny, 49-8, in the semifinals.
Avonworth (12-0), the West Hills Conference champion, is the only remaining unbeaten team in Class 3A. The Antelopes earned their title berth with wins against Beaver, 41-21, in the quarterfinals, and Elizabeth Forward, 21-10, in the semifinals.
"One thing we learned in last year's game is that you have to be ready for the quick pace of the game," Johncour said. "They have four games to play, and they don't waste any time. You have to watch the play clock."
Both teams have a potent offense with a multi-talented skilled player. Belle Vernon is averaging 42 points per game. The Leopards' offense revolves around Penn State recruit Quinton Martin, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior tailback/cornerback who is also a threat with pass catches and in the return game.
When asked how the Antelopes will stop Martin, Johncour replied: "I'm hoping somebody will tell me. You can't prepare for that type of speed. Speed kills. He's a difference-maker. He almost single-handedly beat us last year. He scored three different ways, on a run, a reception, and a punt return."
Martin has rushed for 927 yards on 88 carries for 10.5 yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns. He also leads the Leopards with 39 catches, 607 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"Going into this game, we know we've got only more chance of playing [at Acrisure Stadium], and we have to go into this game thinking that no one is going to stop us, and we have to do what we do," said Martin, when asked about the rematch.
Avonworth is averaging 37.1 points per game. The Antelopes' offense revolves around Andrew Kuban, a 5-11, 195-pound senior wide receiver/safety who also spends time in the backfield as a wildcat quarterback.
"Kuban reminds me some of Quinton (Martin)," Humbert said. "He can impact a game in a magnitude of different ways. He plays safety and linebacker on defense. On offense, he's a wide receiver who also runs the wildcat and can throw the ball when needed. They like to put the ball in his hands as much as possible."
Kuban leads the Antelopes with 50 catches, 799 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also ranks second on the team with 531 yards on 53 rushing attempts (10.0 average) and seven touchdowns. Kuban has also completed 2 of 4 passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns.
"The wildcat is something we prepare for a lot and see sporadically during the season," Humbert said. "It's a challenge we are comfortable with. Typically, the ball is going to one or two people. We have to be stout with our defensive line to defend it."
When Avonworth isn't running the wildcat, sophomore quarterback Carson Bellinger runs the show. He has completed 91 of 151 passes for 1,364 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Bellinger is joined in the backfield by freshman tailback Dimitri Velisaris, who has 895 yards and 15 touchdowns on 127 carries, and senior tailback Brandon Biagiarelli, a Bucknell recruit who missed much of the season with an injury but has 264 yards on 34 carries and five touchdowns.
Belle Vernon's signal caller is senior Braden Laux, who has committed to Eastern Michigan to play tight end. He has completed 93 of 141 passes for 1,406 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Martin is one of three Leopards' tailbacks who have rushed for 400 or more yards. The others are junior Kole Doppelheuer, who has 704 yards and 11 touchdowns on 52 carries, and senior Jake Gedekoh, who has 431 yards and four touchdowns on 41 carries.
Another offensive weapon for the Leopards is junior receiver Anthony Crews, who has 24 catches for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Crews also has 333 yards and five touchdowns on 21 rushing attempts, for a 15.9 per carry average.
Probable starting lineups
Belle Vernon (10-1)
Coach: Matt Humbert
Offense
52 LT Jake Heckel, 6-0, 280, Sr.
70 LG Dane Levi, 6-3, 260, Sr.
53 C Luke Bryer, 5-10, 220, Sr.
50 RG Dylan Dewitt, 6-0, 250, Sr.
69 RT Perry Riggle, 6-0, 270, Jr.
88 TE Aiden Johnson, 6-2, 215, Jr.
4 WR Alonzo Wade, 6-2, 195, Jr.
2 WR Colton Lee, 6-2, 160, Sr.
5 WR Anthony Crews, 5-10, 180, Jr.
25 RB Quinton Martin, 6-3, 205, Sr.
14 QB Braden Laux, 6-5, 215, Sr.
72 PK Preston Rathway, 5-8, 145, Soph.
Defense
14 DE Braden Laux, 6-5, 215, Sr.
70 DT Dane Levi, 6-3, 260, Sr.
69 DT Perry Riggle, 6-0, 270, Jr.
88 DE Aiden Johnson, 6-2, 215, Jr.
4 LB Alonzo Wade, 6-2, 195, Jr.
22 LB Tanner Moody, 5-11, 175, Sr.
55 LB Zach Zelinski, 6-0, 210, Jr.
10 LB Jake Gedekoh, 6-0, 205, Sr.
5 CB Anthony Crews, 5-10, 180, Jr.
25 CB Quinton Martin, 6-3, 205, Sr.
19 FS Adam Lacarte, 6-1, 200, Sr.
86 P Willie Schwerha, 6-0, 180, Jr.
Avonworth (12-0)
Offense
LT 74 Peter Bonnet, 6-5, 255, Soph.
LG 52 Nick Fenters, 6-0, 250, Sr.
C 54 Mason Metz, 6-0, 210, Jr.
RG 51 Zach Dimtroff, 5-11, 210, Sr.
RT 68 Nik Engelmore, 6-4, 285, Jr.
TE 7 Ben Barnes, 6-1, 200, Sr.
WR 5 Andrew Kuban, 5-11, 195, Sr.
WR 18 Harrison Holloway, 6-2, 190, Sr.
QB 3 Carson Bellinger, 5-9, 165, Soph.
HB 6 Brandon Biagiarelli, 6-2, 225, Sr.
RB 34 Dimitri Velisaris, 5-6, 155, Fresh.
PK 9 Aidan Osekowski, 6-0, 190, Sr.
Defense
DE 14 54, Mason Metz, 6-0, 210, Jr.
DL 66 Charlie Koebel, 6-3, 250, Sr.
DL 52 Nick Fenters, 6-0, 250, Sr.
DE 7 Ben Barnes, 6-1, 200, Sr.
LB 11 Hunter Blackson, 5-11, 195, Sr.
LB 6 Brandon Biagiarelli, 6-2, 225, Sr.
LB 40 Justin Beck, 5-10, 210, Jr.
S 2 Noah Goetz, 6-2, 175, Jr.
S 5 Andrew Kuban, 5-11, 195, Sr.
CB 1 Jackson Vogt, 5-9, 175, Sr.
CB 8 Luke Garda, 6-1, 180, Sr.
P 5 Andrew Kuban, 5-11, 195, Sr.
First Published: November 22, 2023, 8:33 p.m.
