Freeport football bows out to WPIAL Class 3A top seed, defending champion Avonworth in quarterfinals

November 07, 2025 Last Updated: November 07, 2025 11:49 PM Sports

Freeport’s Drew Ross (11) throws a pass against Avonworth in a WPIAL Class 3A football quarterfinal game Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Avonworth High School's Lenzner Field. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

OHIO TWP — Avonworth showed why it is undefeated, the defending champion and the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL Class 3A football tournament Friday night at Lenzner Field.

Antelopes running back Dimitri Velsaris rushed for 111 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone as Avonworth cruised to a 56-7 quarterfinal win over Freeport.

The No. 8 Yellowjackets (8-4) played without 1,000-yard rusher Amos Glenn most of the night. He left the contest with a torn hamstring after the Yellowjackets’ first offensive play. Leading receiver Owen Neistein was hurt in the first half and did not return.

“Those injuries certainly didn’t help us,” Freeport coach John Gaillot said. “But our kids kept playing hard. They always play hard.”

Kason Barker caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Drew Ross in the third quarter for Freeport's lone score. By that time, its deficit had reached 56-0.

Logan Krul broke loose for a 67-yard touchdown run on Avonworth’s first play from scrimmage to begin the second half. The Antelopes added another touchdown when Nate Kashaba scooped up a Freeport fumble and scored from 12 yards out with 10:10 still on the clock for the third period.

“Our guys came out tonight and did what we expected them to do,” Avonworth coach Duke Johncour said. “The kids really played well. We played our junior varsity the entire second half, and it felt good to watch them contribute.”

Freeport’s Kason Barker (10) and Dawson Gaillot (23) emotionally embrace after a 56-7 loss to Avonworth in a WPIAL Class 3A football quarterfinal game Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Avonworth High School's Lenzner Field. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

The Yellowjackets turned the ball over three times.

The Antelopes had one turnover — Cooper Scharding fumbling the ball into the end zone just before completing what would have been a 25-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Freeport did not penetrate deeper than the Avonworth 40 in the first half. Barker caught a 39-yard pass to help the Yellowjackets get to the Antelopes’ 20 early in the third quarter, but that possession stalled on downs.

With time running out, Freeport drove to the Avonworth 11 in an attempt to add another score. Ross was sacked on the next play, however, and an incomplete pass ended the game.

“That was for our seniors,” Gaillot said. “I left them out there to try to get one for them. We’re gonna miss that group.

“We had a good season. We have to find a way to get a little bit better. Hats off to Avonworth. They have numbers, depth and a great program.”

Ross threw for 146 yards and Dawson Gaillot rushed for 84 to lead the Yellowjackets.

Avonworth (11-0) will play fifth-seed North Catholic, a 55-32 winner at Elizabeth Forward, in the semifinals next week at a site to be determined.

Freeport 0 0 7 0 — 7

Avonworth 14 28 14 0 — 56

First Quarter

A — Dimitri Velsaris 45 run (Calder Mahan kick), 9:2

A — Velsaris 26 run (Mahan kick), 4:18

Second Quarter

A — Luca Neal 36 run (Mahan kick), 10:51

A — Velsaris 4 run (Mahan kick), 8:46

A — Velsaris 1 run (Mahan kick), 7:55

A — Evan Loutzenhiser 18 pass from Carson Bellinger (Mahan kick), 3:48

Third Quarter

A — Logan Krul 67 run (Hudson Boyd kick), 10:53

A — Nate Kashaba 12 fumble return (Boyd kick), 10:40

F — Kason Barker 31 pass from Drew Ross (Judah Thompson kick), :52

Individual Statistics

Passing: Freeport, Drew Ross 6-18-146-1. Avonworth, Carson Bellinger 3-7-45-0, Jackson May 0-1-0-0.

Rushing: Freeport, Drew Ross 9-(-21), Amos Glenn 1-(-1), Dawson Gaillot 16-84, Owen Neistein 1-2, Bryson Paga 1-10, TEAM 1-(-10). Avonworth, Carson Bellinger 1-25, Dimitri Velsaris 10-111, Logan Krul 2-(-5), Luca Neal 3-103, Gavin McDowell 3-12, Abe Ferguson 3-4, Terryn Walls 1-(-5), Jeremy White 1-2.

Receiving: Freeport, Bryson Paga 1-31, Danny King 2-39, Madden Wisniewski 1-6, Kason Barker 2-70. Avonworth, Logan Neal 1-2, Bryce Metz 1-25, Evan Loutzenhiser 1-18.