Hopewell Football
3 Big Keys for Hopewell vs. Riverside in 2024 Season Opener, Plus Game Prediction
The training camp portion of the season is finished for the Hopewell Vikings football team, as the season and practice preparation are all geared towards that week’s opponent.
Head coach Matt Mottes and his coaching staff spent the day on Sunday watching film and coming up with their final game plan for week one opponent Riverside. On Monday, the staff thoroughly went over the game plan with the players and educating them on everything they need to know about the Panthers.
Tuesday through Thursday the Viking players are on the field preparing and doing everything possible to start the season off with a win.
The 2024 schedule is challenging when considering future opponents such as Central Valley, North Catholic, Beaver and Avonworth. So, it goes without saying that winning all the 50/50 games and ones that you’re supposed to win are vital for the Vikings.
With that being said, here’s my take on a few things that need to happen for Hopewell to start the Mottes era with a W.
1) JUMP AHEAD EARLY
This may sound trivial, but it isn’t. This is a team with a large group of its players that haven’t led in a football going back to Week 2 of last season vs. New Brighton. That will be nearly one year since they’ve experienced playing with a lead. That game was on the road, so the last time Hopewell played with a lead at home was back on September 30, 2022 vs. Quaker Valley. That’s hard to believe but true.
While it may sound minor to some, I think it would be huge. This team is fired up and ready to bring winning football back to Hopewell. Football is back, so the crowd will be excited. If they can get off to a good start and take the lead, I believe it would be a huge shot of confidence for the players.
Believing that you can win is one thing but actually looking at the scoreboard and seeing yourself winning is another.
Score first and play with the lead Hopewell!!
2) GET ARMSTRONG SOME EARLY CONFIDENCE
Coach Mottes won’t be the only person on the Hopewell program experiencing a first. Freshman James Armstrong will be making his first start as a varsity quarterback. That’s a big deal.
Many of you are aware of the success Armstrong has had at the junior high level, particularly last season, but playing in junior high and in high school are totally different as he’s found out in scrimmages.
The 6-foot-2, left-hander has all the physical talent in the world now he has to show that he can do it at the high school level, where the competition will no doubt increase.
I would look for the Hopewell offensive coaches to take some pressure off Armstrong early and rely a lot on the ground attack. However, that doesn’t mean that Boo Boo will not be asked to throw the ball because he will. He has too good of an arm not to.
If I’m calling plays on Friday, early on I’m calling the 2 or 3 pass plays that Armstrong is most comfortable throwing. It’s important to have him complete a few passes early, get the feel of completing some passes and moving the chains. Then as the game moves on, then start opening up the playbook a bit so that the passing game doesn’t become predictable for the defense
Along with calling a few patterns that he’s comfortable with, get him involved a bit in the running game with RPO’s.
Staff needs to do their best to get this freshman feeling comfortable as quick as possible.
3) RUN THE BALL
This not only goes for Friday night but Hopewell to have success on offense this season, they have to be able to run the football. It’s a must.
An ideal offensive gameplan for the Vikings would be to have the play calling percentage be 65% run, 35% pass. Control the clock by holding the ball and keeping the defense fresh and off the field.
In order to run the ball, offensive coordinator Zach Rosa is going to call upon Brody Rock, Thomas Pipkins, Josh Brunton and Armstrong. If Hopewell can play with a lead or be in a close game, the trio of Rock, Pipkins and Armstrong wouldn’t be fun to try and bring down in the second half of games. They’re all big, physical runners.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see both Rock and Pipkins have big games Friday night and in fact, I believe Hopewell will have a great deal of success running the football.
GAME PREDICTION: HOPEWELL 34 Riverside 14
The Matt Mottes era will start off 1-0 with an impressive win.