Mike Vukovcan The Hopewell High School football team’s ultimate goal is to win another WPIAL championship, whether it be this season or in the near future.
When you have such lofty goals, your team will eventually face a measuring stick to gauge where they are as a team.
Tonight, HC Matt Mottes and the Vikings will get that measuring stick as they take on arguably the best Class 3A team in the state, Avonworth (4-0).
For the last handful of years, HC Duke Johncour and Avonworth have set the standard in AAA, as they’re the defending WPIAL champions, the state runners-up and have reached the championship game the past 3 seasons.
HOPEWELL VS. AVONWORTH LAST 3 YEARS:
2024: Avonworth 50-19
2023: Avonworth 45-6
2022: Avonworth 50-0
Not only is Avonworth undefeated but they’re last two wins have come against two 4A teams, Aliquippa (23-7) and Thomas Jefferson (41-14).
This will be Hopewell’s biggest test of the season and the best team they’ll face this 2025 season.
For Hopewell to have a chance tonight, the objective is pretty simple but at the same time difficult- PLAY DEFENSE.
As we’ve witnessed in their first 4 games this season, the Vikings can score points, which they’ll need to do tonight. The question is can they slow down this potent, ultra-balanced Avonworth offense, which is averaging 34 points per game. Hopewell’s defense started off strong allowing only 8 points in their first 3 games but surprisingly gave up 51 points last week to Beaver.
The players to watch tonight on Avonworth are RB Dimitri Velisaris (454 rushing yards, which is 9th most in the WPIAL and 9 touchdowns), QB Carson Bellinger (nearly 800 yards passing and 7 passing touchdowns) and wide receiver Luca Neal (364 yards receiving, which is the most in the WPIAL along with 6 touchdowns).
Playing solid defense is a must but here are 3 keys for Hopewell to have a chance tonight:
*Need to play takeaway: the Vikings defenders need to find a way to cause a couple turnovers. They won’t be able to just count on the defense to force punts. Need to make splash plays.
*The defensive line will need to have a rebound game and find a way to get in the Avonworth backfield in order to disrupt the run game along with hurrying Bellinger.
*The focus has been on the defense, but the offense has a huge job tonight and that’s to try and win the time of possession game. The Hopewell offense needs long, methodical drives, where they’re chewing up clock. Take the snap count down below 10 seconds every snap. Unfortunately, he’s not available but today is a game that’s meant for sophomore running back Brody Rock and his tough, physical style of running. Maybe this will be a coming out party for sophomore running back Nasir Wade.
I know that Hopewell likes to play up tempo, strike for big plays and score quick but I don’t believe that’s their best chance to win the win. I’m not saying that Hopewell doesn’t ever want to make big plays and big play touchdowns but controlling the ball and the time of possession will be very important. So too will be the play of quarterback James Armstrong. I’m not sure that another 600+ total offensive game like last week is possible but he’ll need to play well if Hopewell has any shot.
This is a long season with plenty of games left to play so regardless of the outcome, nothing is determined tonight. Looking at the remaining schedule, this would obviously be a monumental win, but the Hopewell’s most important games will be the final two on the schedule: Central Valley and North Catholic.
