Hopewell/Freeport Football Game Preview

It’s the final high school Friday night in Hopewell this season and it’s a huge game.

For the first time in a long time, there’s a meaningful late season game at Tony Dorsett Stadium, as Hopewell takes on Freeport.

Hopewell enters tonight’s game with a record of 4-3, while Freeport comes in at 5-2.

While HSN hasn’t confirmed this with the WPIAL, we believe that if Hopewell is able to win one of their final three games, they’ll secure a spot in the 2024 WPIAL playoffs.

That would be quite a feat considering they won one game last season and two years ago, they were winless.

In their last three games, Hopewell takes on Freeport, Central Valley and North Catholic so tonight is their best opportunity to secure that fifth win.

Taking a look at Freeport, their five wins have come over Indiana (30-7), Quaker Valley (44-12), Burrell (42-0), Valley (48-20) and Highlands (28-7), while their losses were to Derry (21-7) and Deer Lakes (28-21).

The key for Hopewell to win tonight will be their run defense as the Yellow Jackets are averaging close to 200 yards per game on the ground. While Freeport does have the ability to pass the ball averaging 115 yards per game with Drew Glenn, their offense is clearly built around running back Amos Glenn.

For the season, the junior running back is averaging 116 yards per game and has scored a team high 12 touchdowns.

As is most time in football, the question will be how Hopewell’s defensive line will stack up against Freeport. The question is whether or not they’ll be able to contain the quick Glenn.

The key on offense for Hopewell will be whether or not they’ll be able to be balanced and not just rely on the run game.

The last two weeks, freshman quarterback James Armstrong has thrown the ball really well and that will need to continue if Hopewell has a chance to win. We believe that the Vikings passing game will be able to have success tonight.

Hopewell will need to put up at least 28 points and HSN believes they’ll do that. The question is can the defense come up with enough stops or produce a couple turnovers to slow down Freeport’s offense?

It’ll be an emotional night for a bunch of players as it’s Senior Night and the last time a group of players will play on the field at home. A win tonight would be the biggest of their careers and turn this good 2024 season into a REALLY GOOD season.