Rich Donahue For the first time in over a decade, there is a buzz around the Hopewell Vikings football program as they prepare for the 2025 season.
After winning only 3 games from 2021-23 including an 0-9 season in 2021, the Vikings look to have turned the corner, finishing with a 4-6 record last season.
A lot of that buzz can be credited to new head coach Matt Mottes. Last season, Mottes served as the interim head coach following the departure of John Rosa, who took over as the athletic director for Winchester Thurston two months before the season.
When asked about the momentum heading into next season, Mottes gives all the credit to the Vikings’ players and last years’ seniors for setting up the foundation for 2025.
“The kids are really excited about what we accomplished last year,” Mottes said. “They’re happy that we’re underway for the 2025 season. We’re looking to build off what we did last year. Our seniors last year did a great job of laying the groundwork for our future.”
With that groundwork laid out, Mottes now has the opportunity to lead the Vikings back to the WPIAL playoffs, a place they haven’t been since 2012. That will not be an easy hill to climb as Hopewell must get through the likes of Avonworth, Central Valley, North Catholic and Beaver in the Western Hills conference to get back to the playoffs. The Vikings fell to all four teams by double digits in 2024.
To get through one of the toughest conferences in the WPIAL, Mottes has a similar message for his team.”
“We need to mentally and physically prepare ourselves.” Crediting his strength and conditioning coach, Craedel Kimbrough, for ensuring the players are ready for the rigors of the Western Hills conference. “We played teams tough for periods and stretches of games last year. With the experience from our younger guys playing and our senior class for 2025, I think that’s going to play dividends for us and for our success in 2025.”
One of those younger guys who played a significant role in 2024 was quarterback James Armstrong. Just a freshman, Armstrong earned the starting job following a season-ending injury to incumbent Kingston Krotec. And the quarterback nicknamed “Boo-Boo” didn’t just take the job, but ran with it, displaying incredible arm strength and running ability for a freshman.
His performance was so impressive, Pitt has already offered the 15-year-old quarterback a scholarship. In recent weeks, he has also picked up offers from Sacramento State and Akron. Not since Rushel Shell has a player out of Hopewell received this much interest from big time programs, but Mottes isn’t worried about Armstrong not being able to handle the spotlight.
“James is a humble kid and comes from a great family,” said Mottes. “His dad’s an unbelievable guy, you wish every parent was like that. Talking with James, you would never know that he’s a 15-year-old freshman.”
But even with a young, dynamic quarterback, they are only as good as the pieces around them. For Mottes, he points to the offensive line being a strong point for the Vikings heading into 2025.
“Our line is gonna be all seniors, both offensive and defensive. We’re returning five starters from last year, which is fantastic.”
As for the goal in 2025 for this group? Mottes made it very clear where he sees this Vikings team this coming season.
“We’re gonna go back to the playoffs in 2025,” said Mottes. “And to be honest with you, these kids deserve it. Tough times don’t last, tough people do, and our kids are definitely tough.”
