Mike Vukovcan The Hopewell Vikings football team will be looking to break a 2-game losing streak tomorrow night when they travel to take on Quaker Valley.
Both teams enter play with records of 3-2 with Hopewell’s last two losses coming against Beaver and Avonworth.
When looking at Quaker Valley, they started the season with wins over Freedom (38-20) and Keystone Oaks (20-13). The Quaker then lost 2 straight but keep in mind, they came against undefeated teams, Freeport (42-7) and North Catholic (49-0). QV then got back in the win column last Friday by beating Valley, 29-20.
Offensively, Quaker Valley runs the wing-t and will look to put together long drives and to possess the ball. The player that Hopewell’s defense needs to focus on is running back No. 6 Ben McHenry.
This is a very important game for Hopewell as they are looking to pick up their first section win. Falling to 0-3 in section would be a killer.
The Vikings defense needs to regain the swagger that they had at the start of the season and gain some confidence.
Not to put too much pressure on them but if the defense performs well tomorrow, Hopewell will win and I believe that will happen. I’d be surprised if the big guys up front, Brian McCabe, Nick Thomas, Keith Young and Aris Haniotes don’t have big games. Haniotes will be going up against his former team so he will be ready, count on that.
Offensively, Hopewell will put points on the board, and the key is to limit penalties and turnovers. Could be a breakout game for sophomore running back Nasir Wade.
Last season, Hopewell defeated Quaker Valley, 24-7 and I look for them to win again but it won’t be this close.
PREDICTION: HOPEWELL 49-10
