Vikings Sports Now

It was an exciting week for the website as Viking Sports Now had a lot of people come to the site to view stories.

This past week was our highest week of traffic (close to 3,500 views) and we had highest week of unique visitors since November.

Thank you and let’s keep the momentum going this week!

Here’s a look at what had people coming to the site as we take a look at our Monday feature, ‘Vikings Sports Now’s 5 Most Viewed Stories of the Week’.

TOP FIVE MOST VIEWED STORIES (January 12-18th).

1 New HC Matt Campbell and Penn State Make Another Visit to Hopewell HS

New HC Matt Campbell and Penn State Make Another Visit to Hopewell HS

2) Hopewell 2004 Girls Volleyball Team to be Inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame

Hopewell 2004 Girls Volleyball Team to be Inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame

3) Rock’s 36 Points Lead Hopewell Over Ambridge, 93-66

Rock’s 36 Points Lead Hopewell Over Ambridge, 93-66

4) Meet One of Hopewell’s Most Athletic and Talented Athletes- Brody Rock

Meet One of Hopewell’s Most Athletic and Talented Athletes- Brody Rock

5) Armstrong and Shegog Lead Hopewell to Win Over Summit Academy

Armstrong and Shegog Lead Hopewell to Win Over Summit Academy

It’s Monday and the start of another week but also time to take a quick look back at last week.

As we do every Monday, we take a look back at what stories were most popular with you the readers of VSN.

I’d like to thank everyone that helped contribute stories to the site and invite anyone to suggest or send me information on a sporting event that your child is involved in. My e-mail address is mvukovcan@gmail.com or you can text me 724-462-5756.

Here were the five most read stories from last week.

1 Hopewell Competes Hard but Loses to Quaker Valley, 73-56.

Hopewell Competes Hard but Loses to Quaker Valley, 73-56

2) Hopewell HS Boys Basketball Knock Off 1st Place Central Valley, 61-57

Hopewell HS Boys Basketball Knock Off 1st Place Central Valley, 61-57

3) Hopewell Boys JV Basketball Edge Central Valley, 60-59

Hopewell Boys JV Basketball Edge Central Valley, 60-59

4) Hopewell Freshman Basketball Dominates Riverside, 58-21

Hopewell Freshman Basketball Dominates Riverside, 58-21

5) Hopewell Girls Beat Ambridge for 1st Section Win

Hopewell Girls Beat Ambridge for 1st Section Win

Last night, we listed what I believed were the 10 biggest accomplishments by Hopewell athletes/teams in 2025.

Today, we’re going to have another list and this was about individual stories that we published on VSN.

All 468 stories that we wrote this year weren’t game recaps. We attempted to go a bit deeper and talk to our athletes so that you had the opportunity to get to know them.

This was very difficult to narrow down because of how many people we had the pleasure of interviewing.

With that being said, here what I selected as our Top 15 Individual Stories from 2025. (These are not ranked)

1) Get to Know the Leader of the Hopewell Track and Field Program- Jeff Brunton

Get to Know the Leader of the Hopewell Track and Field Program- Jeff Brunton

2) Victoria Mann/Kara Barkovich Want to End Hopewell Careers Making More Memories

Victoria Mann and Kara Barkovich Want to End Hopewell Careers Making More Memories

3) Allison Ramaley- One of the Hardest Working Student Athletes at Hopewell HS

Allison Ramaley- One of the Hardest Working Student/Athletes at Hopewell High School

4) Hopewell’s Alana Covalt Putting in the Work to Shine

Hopewell’s Alana Covalt Putting in the Work to Shine

5) Hopewell Has Helped Nick Hoth Serve His Country

Hopewell Has Helped Nick Hoth Serve His Country

6) Hopewell’s Ava Ray is Small in Size but a Giant in Heart and Compete Level

Hopewell’s Ava Ray is Small in Size but a Giant in Heart and Compete Level

7) Emma Palmieri Inspires Greatness On and Off the Track

Emma Palmieri Inspires Greatness On and Off the Track

8) Hopewell’s Ava Yoder Living Out a Life-Long Passion- Swimming!

Hopewell’s Ava Yoder Living Out a Life-Long Passion- Swimming!

9) The Shell Legacy at Hopewell Continues!

The Shell Legacy at Hopewell Continues!

10) Introducing You to New Hopewell 7th Grade Baseball Coach BJ Rankin

Introducing You to New Hopewell 7th Grade Baseball Coach BJ Rankin

11) The Sirianni Family Created Life-Long Memories at the Super Bowl

The Sirianni Family Created Life-Long Memories at the Super Bowl

12) Hopewell’s Charlie Smetana Working and Improving to Achieve Ultimate Goal

Hopewell’s Charlie Smetana Working and Improving to Achieve Ultimate Goal

13) Hopewell Senior Golfer Mason LaSala’s Incredible Journey

Hopewell Senior Golfer Mason LaSala’s Incredible Journey

14) Alyssa Spang Reflects on Hopewell Career, Looks Forward to the Future

Alyssa Spang Reflects on Hopewell Career, Looks Forward to the Future

15) Former Hopewell Star Volleyball Player Abby Oldham Having Breakout Season at W&J

Former Hopewell Star Volleyball Player Abby Oldham Having Breakout Season at W&J

We’re coming to the end of the calendar year, so I wanted to look back at the previous year.

After we re-launched the website in February and changed things over to Vikings Sports Now, we have written 648 stories on athletes and teams in Hopewell.

Whether it was youth sports, junior high, high school or former Hopewell athletes, VSN did our best to keep you updated on what was happening in our township.

As I looked back and scanned through the stories, we had a lot of great things happening both with our teams and with individual athletes.

This wasn’t an easy thing to rank but I did my best. I’m not going to list them in order, instead I’ll just list what I feel were the Top 10 Biggest Stories in Hopewell from 2025.

Top 10 Biggest Stories in Hopewell from 2025:

*These are not ranked in order; I’m just listing the 10 biggest stories.

1) Hopewell Girls Volleyball Team wins the section and advances to the WPIAL finals for the second consecutive year.

2) Hopewell High School Football Team qualifies for the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

3) Emma Palmieri Sets 4 Hopewell High School Track and Field Records (200M Dash, 4×100, 400M, 4×400 M Relay).

Hopewell’s Emma Palmeri

4) Hopewell HS Bowling Team Wins 1st Ever Southwestern Sectional Title.

5) Hopewell Hires Doug Biega as the HS Boys Basketball Coach.

6) Hopewell Hires Matt Mottes as the permanent HS Football Coach.

7) Zack Kovell Joins the 1,000 Point Club as a Hopewell HS Basketball Player.

Hopewell’s Zach Kovell

8) Connor Progar Sets School record in the Pole Vault (13’10”)

9) James Franklin Visits Hopewell HS to Extend offer to sophomore quarterback James Armstrong

10) Hopewell Sophomore Quarterback James Armstrong Receives 4 Power 4 Scholarship Offers (Pitt, Penn State, North Carolina and West Virginia)

James Armstrong visiting Pitt

Wow, just 10 days away from Christmas and 16 until we start the year 2026!

We’re also completing the 11th month of the start of Vikings Sports Now!

Last week on VSN, we produced 17 stories, which is something we’re very proud of. A couple stats about last week- 1) we received 4,000 views (250 more than last week) 2) we received our most clicks from people coming directly to our site on their own and not being prompted by a story link. That’s very encouraging as it’s a sign of readers wanting/curious to see what we have posted.

Here’s a look at which of those 5 stories received the most views.

TOP 5 MOST READ STORIES LAST WEEK ON VIKINGS SPORTS NOW (December 8-14):

1 Hopewell HS Boys Basketball Improves to 3-0 with Win Over New Brighton

Hopewell HS Boys Basketball Improves to 3-0 with Win Over New Brighton

2) Photo Gallery of Hopewell HS Wrestling Team Practice

Photo Gallery of Hopewell HS Wrestling Team Practice

3) WATCH: HC Brett Smith Previews the 2025-26 Hopewell HS Wrestling Team

Watch: HC Brett Smith Previews the 2025-26 Hopewell HS Wrestling Team

4) Hopewell Boys JV Team with Impressive Win, While Freshman Team Opens Season

Hopewell Boys JV Team with Impressive Win, While Freshman Team Opens Season

5) WATCH: Hopewell Seniors Riley Biggins and Nick Adams Talk 2-0 Start and Change in Hopewell Basketball

Hopewell Starts 2-0 Behind Solid Senior Leadership from Nick Adams and Riley Biggins

It’s Monday so as we begin to start another week, let’s quickly look back at last week.

Here’s a look at the five stories on Vikings Sports Now that were read the most.

FIVE MOST READ STORIES FROM LAST WEEK:

1 Hopewell High School to Host WPIAL Football Semifinal Game Friday

Hopewell High School to Host WPIAL Football Semifinal Game Friday

2) What Schools Will Be in Hopewell’s Section Next Season?

What Schools Will Be in Hopewell’s Section Next Season?

3) Hopewell School District to Hire Dr. Maura Hobson as Districts Next Superintendent

Hopewell School District to Hire Dr. Maura Hobson as Districts Next Superintendent

4) Hopewell’s Charlie Smetana Commits to USC-Sumter

Hopewell’s Charlie Smetana Commits to USC-Sumter

5) WATCH: Hopewell HC Doug Biega Evaluates Roster

WATCH: Hopewell HC Doug Biega Evaluates Roster

As we’re getting closer and closer to the end of the year, Vikings Sports Now wants to do something very important and recognize the reason we’re up and running.

Without cooperate support from local businesses, there wouldn’t be a Vikings Sports Now. Local advertising allows us to do all the things we do.

By now means are we ESPN or Fox Sports, but we are a small business and need money in order to operate.

With that in mind, VSN wants to give a shoutout to all of our local advertisers for being so loyal and joining our team.

As we head into the Winter sports season and a new calendar year, we’re always open to add more new sponsors to our family. If you’d like to talk about opportunities (which are very affordable), please contact me (724-462-5756) or mvukovcan@gmail.com.

**SHULLIGAN’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILLE.
Owner Mike Shutak and his business have been with Vikings Sports Now from Day 1 and he’s as loyal and as giving of a person as you can find. Shulligan’s not only supports VSN but all of the sports teams in Hopewell through various acts of kindness that don’t get reported. To top it off, Shulligan’s has a tremendous menu and atmosphere to hang out or to watch sporting events with their various TV’s or when they host bands, have open-mic nights and trivia nights. Shulligan’s is located on 2422 Broadhead Road in Hopewell, and you can also get takeout by calling 724-375-2920.

**LISA MCCOY – STATE FARM INSURANCE AGENT

Lisa McCoy was the first person that said she wanted to join Vikings Sports Now and that means a lot to me. Aside from this website, Lisa McCoy’s Insurance business is very visible through Hopewell athletics and across Western Pennsylvania. One of the reasons McCoy is so successful is because of her ability to communicate and work with her customers to meet their needs. If you’re in need of or looking to change your auto, motorcycle, homeowners, condo, renters, business, life or pet insurance, give Lisa and her State Farm Insurance team a call at 724-498-0630 or email them at lisa@insurewithlisa.net. Check out her website at http://www.insurewithlisa.net

**RYAN RAY AND SANDEE TOULOUSE REAL ESTATE TEAM
Ryan Ray and Sandee Toulouse Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices was formed in January of 2020 and since then has surpassed $127 million in sales and closed over 450 units.

All of those things describe Ryan Ryan and Sandee Toulouse, who have a combined 62 years’ worth of experience. The Ray and Toulouse team includes talented agents such as Brad Tumulty, Ernie Leopold and Adam Buczko. All together they have over 100 years of combined industry experience.

Today’s real estate market is firmly tilted in favor of sellers, with home prices situated at record highs. That’s where The Ryan Ray and Sandee Toulouse Team are important because they will provide you with the proper guidance, know where to look, will help you to understand your financing options, will get you through bidding wars and help you to get long-term value.

Ray and Toulouse’s local roots particularly in the Hopewell, Moon area enhance their ability to service clients with their deep area insight and knowledge of the market.

If you’re in the market to buy or sell, Vikings Sports Now strongly suggests you make your first call to the Ryan Ray and Sandee Toulouse Team, where they can be reached at (412) 952-3274 and (412) 720-9549, respectively. Visit them online at http://www.ryanrayandsandeetoulouse.com

**FRANK WALKER LAW

Frank Walker has been a loyal and long-time business partner with my Sports Now Networks. Frank is a great man and founder of Frank Walker Law in Pittsburgh. Walker is one of the most sought-after criminal defense attorneys in Western Pennsylvania due to his reputation for real talk, real experience and real results. Clients choose attorney Walker for representation because of his ability to get the most for his clients. To get in touch with Frank Walker, Pittsburgh Criminal Lawyer, call 412-212-3878.

**STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROB MATZIE

I’ll start by saying that Rob is a person that I’ve had a life-long friendship with and am fortunate to call him a friend. Since moving from the media into the political world, Matzie has been successful as evidenced by the fact that he continues to get re-elected in a very difficult political climate. Reason for that is check out his track record and the results that he gets for his constituents in Beaver County.

**WAYNE TATALOVICH FUNERAL HOME

Mr. Tatalovich is family owned and operated and has provided our community with dignified and professional services for the past 57 years.

The compassionate and caring staff at Tatalovich Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All the families that we serve are important to Mr. Tatalovich and his staff. They constantly strive to offer a wider variety of options to each and every one of them. It has been the Tatalovich family’s sincere desire during the hours of one’s greatest sorrow to serve them in a manner which would lighten their burden. The Tatalovich family, “serving your family as their own since 1968′.

TATALOVICH FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, INC.
2205 McMinn Street
Aliquippa, PA 15001
724-378-7550

3475 Broadhead Road
Monaca, PA 15061
724-317-0433

On a personal note, back in my radio days at WMBA 1460 AM in Ambridge, I remember working with Mr. Tatalovich as he was a very loyal sponsor of our high school football games on the radio. It’s great that 25+ years later, we are once again working together because he’s one of the most respected and trusted names in Beaver County. It was that way back then and it remains that way today.

**VOCELLI’S PIZZA OF HOPEWELL

Vocelli’s Pizza of Hopewell is the Official Pizza of VSN and the only pizza that my family and I order on pizza night. Thanks to Brian, who re-opened the Hopewell location and is doing a tremendous job.  Vocelli’s is located across from the Hopewell Shopping Center at 2279 Broadhead Road, and the phone number is 724-719-9777. Nothing better than the pepperoni on Vocelli’s Pizza! They have more than just pizza, try their subs, wings, etc. Brian has been very generous in giving away gift cards on Vikings Sports Now and since moving to Hopewell has worked hard to establish himself in this community and has been VERY GENEROUS in working with and providing for the local sports teams in town. Thank you Brian and I look forward to continuing working with you in the future.

**Scott Aguglia Agency

Scott Aguglia is your local health care agent. Scott takes pride in serving OUR community. He works closely with Highmark and UPMC- for individuals, families and Independent Business Owners like you in our area. Give him a call for any questions or ask for a free Quote TODAY, 724-987-8500.  By the way, you don’t ever want to get into an arm-wrestling contest with this guy, you won’t win! LOL. Thanks Scott and I appreciate our friendship.

Aside from helping us, these businesses are hoping that when and if you’re in need of a service that they provide, you’ll consider them as an option.

That’s the purpose of advertising so please consider these businesses in the future and if you know them or solicit their business, let them know you heard about them on Vikings Sports Now.