Week 15 Preview | Penn Cambria, Avonworth set for PIAA Class 3A semifinal rematch

Penn Cambria’s defense has performed at a high level throughout the postseason, but coach Jason Grassi believes his Panthers will face their biggest test yet against state top-ranked Avonworth.

“I know Avonworth is a great football team and they’re going to challenge us on that side of the ball,” Grassi said as his District 6 champions prepared to face undefeated District 7 champ Avonworth in a PIAA Class 3A semifinal Friday at Indiana Area Senior High School.

Since the playoffs began, Penn Cambria has held four teams to single-digit scoring, while the Panthers posted a combined 113-20 margin, including Nov. 21’s 12-7 win over District 10 Sharon in a quarterfinal at PennWest Clarion University.

“We’ve bent at times,” Grassi said. “Last week, they drove down, but once again at the beginning of the game, we stopped them. It seems like we’re giving up some yards here and there at times, but our guys are buckling down when we need to and keeping them out of the end zone.”

Penn Cambria (12-2) and Avonworth (13-0) will play in the semifinals for a second straight season. In 2024, the Antelopes defeated the Panthers 16-6 at Norwin High School.

Penn Cambria led 6-3 at the half and trailed 9-6 until Avonworth added a final touchdown in the final minute to advance to the state title game. Eventually, District 11 champ Northwestern Lehigh won the Class 3A state title game 36-33 in overtime.

“Since we got into the playoffs, our guys have been so even keel,” Grassi said. “They show up every day, work hard at practice and in the film room.

“You feel like you’re prepared. We go out and just play our game, and our guys are comfortable doing it. That experience of playing in those playoff games has really helped our guys.”

The Panthers have 13 seniors on the roster – 10 of those are starters. Entering Friday’s game, the senior group – including playmakers such as three-year starting quarterback Brady Jones, two-way athletes Blake Lilly and Grant Gides – has been part of a 44-8 run with four straight trips to the District 6-3A title game and back-to-back state semifinal appearances.

“Hopefully with our experience from last year, we learned some things from them,” Grassi said. “Our kids definitely believe we can win, which is a good thing. We’ll go out there and do our best.”

In 2024, Avonworth’s Luca Neal rushed for 254 yards and scored both of the Antelopes’ touchdowns against Penn Cambria.

A senior this season, Neal is utilized more as a receiver, although he still contributes in the ground game, often out of the wildcat formation.

Neal has 43 receptions for 851 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s carried 40 times for 516 rushing yards and seven TDs.

“Luca plays a lot more receiver now,” Grassi said. “He does run the ball out of the wildcat and a little bit out of the tailback position. He’s a great player. We saw that last year. He does a lot for them.”

Junior back Dimitri Velisaris has a team-high 1,512 rushing yards and 24 TDs on 200 carries.

“They have another running back (Velisaris) that’s been the primary guy,” Grassi said. “He’s running the ball well. They have a bunch of guys that can play. They’re very talented. They returned a lot of guys from last year.

“They haven’t had a lot of close games this year. They’ve been putting it to everybody they’ve played.”

The Antelopes’ passing game is led by senior quarterback Carson Bellinger, who has completed 97 of 142 passes (68.3%) for 2,034 yards, 27 TDs and only one interception.

“We’re going to be tested in the pass game,” Grassi said. “They like to run the ball and once you get sucked in by the run, they like to throw it over top you. He’s completed almost 70% of his passes and he has only one pick.

“They’ve also very talented at the receiver position.”

The Panthers know the challenge ahead.

Grassi realizes his team will be labeled an underdog against an Avonworth team that has outscored opponents 535-127. With senior leadership and big-game experience, he expects Penn Cambria to be ready.

“We have to do the same thing we’ve been doing,” Grassi said. “We’re going to bend.

“They’re going to get yards, run the football and make plays. We just have to limit that and get off the field when we need to.”

Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.