Mike Vukovcan The Hopewell Vikings football starts their most important stretch of the 2025 season tonight when they’ll travel down Route 28 to take on the Freeport Yellow Jackets.
After dominating a couple of lesser opponents in Quaker Valley and McGuffey, things will change drastically tonight as Freeport enters tonight non-conference game with a record of 6-1.
Freeport’s first loss of the season came last Friday to Highlands, 28-27, in overtime. Their wins have come against Indiana (28-0), Derry (49-6), Quaker Valley (42-7), Deer Lakes (58-7), Burrell (34-7) and Valley (42-7).
As you can see, last week was the first time the Yellow Jackets defense has allowed more than 7 points in a game.
When you look at both teams: Hopewell has scored 311 points on the season, compared to Freeport’s 280. Defensively, Hopewell has allowed 107 points, compared to Freeport’s 62. Keep in mind, the Vikings gave up 51 points to Beaver or that defensive statistic would look a lot better.
Hopewell will have 3 areas of focus tonight as they look to pick up their 6th win of the season.
1. CONTAIN AMOS GLENN: The senior running is without a doubt the key to this Freeport offense. Glenn is averaging 111 yards per game and will be fed the ball in many different ways. Quarterback Drew Ross is effective, but throwing isn’t what they do a ton. Hopewell’s run defense will be tested and will need to force Freeport to pass the ball.
2. BLITZ PICK-UP: As Hopewell found out last year and have seen on film this year, Freeport is a defense that blitzes a ton. The offensive line will need to recognize where the blitzes are coming from and then the line and backs will need to do their job in picking that blitz up. If the Freeport defense isn’t able to get home with the blitz, this could lead to chucks of yardage for the Vikings offense either from quick passes or quarterback James Armstrong seeing a lane and taking off.
3. KEEPING COMPOSURE: More than likely, this will be a four-quarter game and won’t be a mercy rule content like the last two. Freeport is a good football, and Hopewell has to know that they’ll be tested, especially being on the road. If they trail in this game or commit a turnover, they need to realize it’s ok and it isn’t the end of the world. Tonight, will be the first of three extremely difficult games for Hopewell to close the season, with Central Valley and North Catholic to follow. Regardless of the game circumstances, keeping their composure and next play mentality will be very important.
GAME PREDICTION: While this isn’t a conference game, it could still be an important resume win for Hopewell, in the event that they’re not one of the top 3 teams in the section that automatically qualify for the playoffs. Two teams in Class 3A will be selected as wild card teams and possibly having wins over New Castle and Freeport, along with playing in the toughest conference in 3A would help Hopewell’s chances.
In the end, I’m looking for big games from Hopewell’s dynamic sophomore duo of Armstrong and Wade on offense with the defense making enough plays to contribute towards a win.
FINAL SCORE: HOPEWELL 31 FREEPORT 21
