Mike Vukovcan Congratulations to HC Matt Mottes and the Hopewell Vikings football program as they’re headed to the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2012.
This afternoon, Hopewell got word that they received one of the 3 wild card spots in Class 3A and will take on No. 7 Southmoreland at Russ Grimm Field.
Southmoreland finished the regular season with a record of 9-1, which was good for second place in the Interstate Conference.
The Scotties lone loss was to 1st place Elizabeth Forward (42-0) with their wins coming against Valley (42-0), East Allegheny (49-7), Laurel Highlands (54-7), Blackhawk (24-17), Ringgold (28-7), Derry (23-11), Yough (41-0), Mt. Pleasant (14-0) and Greensburg Salem (38-0).
Southmoreland has a 1st year 24-year-old head coach Dustin Shoaf and started the season 8-0, which was their best start to a season since 1964.
This team went through a ton of adversity at the start of the season when star freshman quarterback Anthony Smith made the decision to transfer to Seton LaSalle, before eventually leaving to play in Ohio.
In Smith’s place, junior Dawson Wolfe (6 ‘2″, 210-pounds) has stepped in and gotten the job done. Wolfe has passed for nearly 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also rushing for 280 yards and 7 touchdowns.
On the ground, Southmoreland is led by junior Jackson Mickens who’s run for close to 500 yards and a team-high 10 TDs.
Up until their loss to Elizabeth Forward two weeks ago, the Southmoreland defense was allowing just 10 points per game.
The biggest question for Hopewell will be the health of a number of their players as a few players were injured, namely sophomore running back Nasir Wade. That’s not to mention quarterback James Armstrong, who played the entire game despite being injured and isn’t close to being 100%.
Official WPIAL 3A Playoff Seedings
1. Avonworth – BYE
2. Imani – BYE
3. Central Valley – BYE
4. Elizabeth Forward – BYE
5. North Catholic vs #12 Burrell
6. Highlands vs #11 Derry
7. Southmoreland vs #10 Hopewell
8. Freeport vs #9 Beaver #WPIAL— PA Today (@PA_TodaySports) October 25, 2025
