Hopewell Football
Hopewell vs. Central Valley Game Preview; Game Prediction
Two regular season games remain for the Hopewell Vikings football team and for the first time in a long time, they have playoff implications.
The Vikings currently stand with a record of 4-4 overall, 2-2 in conference and with one more win, they’d likely qualify for the 2024 playoffs.
The problem is that their last two games are against VERY good programs in Central Valley and North Catholic.
Central Valley is one of the most talented teams in Class AAA, while North Catholic is led by 4-star OL/DL Brady O’Hara, who’s committed to Penn State.
That’s been a common theme with Hopewell’s 2024 season and that is they played one of the most difficult schedules in the area. I’m not trying to make excuses, just dealing in reality.
This tweet from WPIAL Insider lists their Top 25 teams in the WPIAL, regardless of classifications. On the second graphic, it ranks their Top 5 teams in Class AAA.
Your Week 8 Top25
Presented by @FryePerformance❗️New #1 ❗️
Welcome back, @BVAFootball! pic.twitter.com/rwzgMF2z9z
— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) October 17, 2024
• Power Rankings •
Your WPIAL Insider 1A-3A Power Rankings 📊
• Welcome to the show, Jefferson Mo!
• Welcome back, Central Valley! 📈 pic.twitter.com/R5qzTqtr90— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) October 16, 2024
The point I’m trying to make is that every team that Hopewell lost to this season (Beaver, Avonworth, Freeport and New Castle) will be making the 2024 playoffs. Two of those teams are ranked in the Top 25 of all the WPIAL, not just in Class AAA.
Tonight’s opponent has consistently been one of the top football programs in all of the WPIAL for the last decade under head coach Mark Lyons. If not for challenging themselves by playing a killer non-conference schedule and injuries, Central Valley would be listed as one of WPIAL Insider’s Top 25 teams. The Warriors come into tonight with a 4-4 record but keep in mind, their losses came to Montour, Thomas Jefferson, Belle Vernon and Avonworth. Montour is ranked No. 7, Thomas Jefferson No. 9, Avonworth No. 19 and Belle Vernon No. 23.
Don’t be deceived by their record, they’re good, really good.
Central Valley is led by sophomore running back Jance Henry, who currently holds D-1 offers from Pitt, Wisconsin, West Virginia, UNLV, Central Florida, Syracuse, NC State, Michigan, Miami Ohio, Toledo, UConn and Akron.
Henry isn’t the only star on this Central Valley team as their offensive and defensive lines are led by stud tackle Brendon Alexander, who holds offers from Pitt, Penn State, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Stanford, South Florida, NC State, Michigan State, Miami Ohio, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Duke, UConn, Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Boston College, Arkansas and Akron.
I could detail a few more players such as QB Steven Rutherford and RB T Mason Dixon but you get the point, Central Valley is very talent, and it will be difficult for Hopewell.
The overall point that I’m trying to convey here is that regardless of what happens tonight, don’t let that change the narrative of this turnaround season for Hopewell.
Plenty of really good things have happened this season under the direction of Coach Mottes, the biggest of which is that the Vikings have been more than competitive and prepared in every game. I’ll be sharing some thoughts on the future of Hopewell football in an upcoming column.
Regardless of what happens over the last two games, this 2024 season should be looked at as a success and a building block for the future. As the saying goes, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ and everyone in the district needs to keep that in mind.
The only chance Hopewell has of winning this game is somehow force a few turnovers but more importantly stop the CV running attack, which will be difficult. Reason for that is the two-headed monster of Henry and Dixon. You can key and gameplan to try and stop Henry, but Dixon easily rush for 150+ yards on very few carries.
In terms of my prediction, unfortunately, I don’t believe Hopewell is ready yet to compete with the overall talent on this Central Valley team. Don’t be surprised if they’re once again playing for the WPIAL Championship at Acrisure Stadium.
Hopewell’s playoff chances will come down to next week’s matchup against North Catholic.