Mike Vukovcan Prior to the Hopewell 2026 football season, the game against Aliquippa was the one everyone circled on the schedule.
Many predicted this matchup would determine the section championship and that’s exactly what will happen.
In the season finale on Friday, it’ll be Hopewell against Aliquippa for the Western Hills Section Championship.
Hopewell enters the game with an overall record of 8-1 and 4-0 in section, while Aliquippa finds itself with a record of 6-2 and 4-0 in the section.
HC Matt Mottes and the Vikings will be looking to secure their first section title since Rushel Shell’s sophomore season in 2009.
Last season, Hopewell qualified and won a WPIAL playoff game for the first time in 13 years but the goals this season are much larger than winning just one playoff game.
If Hopewell wins the section, they’ll likely enter the WPIAL playoffs as either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, depending on the outcome of the Propel vs. Avonworth matchup.
How big is this game?
For the second time this season, Hopewell will be the KDKA Radio+ Game of the Week.
If you plan on attending this game, it would be wise to buy your tickets ahead of time to make sure you don’t get shutout.
Here’s a link for you to purchase your ticket.
