Hopewell hopes to lean on experience, qualify for WPIAL playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 | 10:33 PM

After finishing two games out of a WPIAL Class 3A playoff berth last season, there’s a feeling this is the year Hopewell can make up ground toward the postseason.

Hopewell finished 2016 with a 2-4 Beaver County Conference record (4-6 overall), two games behind Beaver.

The Vikings last made the WPIAL playoffs in 2012 and are yearning for postseason action under fourth-year coach Mark Washington.

“Last year, we had growing pains,” Washington said. “We only had seven seniors, and only three of them started. This year, we have 12 guys that have been with us for four years, and we have a good freshmen class with a couple of guys there who are ready.”

With the move to six classifications causing teams to endure long road trips against unfamiliar opponents, Hopewell’s membership in the Beaver Valley Conference belied that adage, with many conference foes located close by.

Things will be a little different over the next two seasons. Hopewell will still be a Class 3A school, but there’s been some movement of teams.

The Vikings will now play in what’s called the Tri-County West, comprised of teams from Beaver, Allegheny and Greene counties.

Beaver and Ellwood City have moved out, while Keystone Oaks, South Park and Waynesburg have moved in.

Defending champion Quaker Valley and perennial WPIAL finalist Aliquippa remain, along with Central Valley and Beaver Falls.

“We still have Aliquippa and Central Valley, but now we’re going to have to travel to Waynesburg and South Park,” Washington said. “So there will be a little bit of driving. But the last couple of years when we had the Beaver Valley Conference, it was something special.”

Senior wide receiver/cornerback Javon Lewis agreed.

“It’s pretty much fun to play against people I know and that I grew up with,” Lewis said. “I played in the Aliquippa youth league before transferring here.”

A strong senior class is a good sign for Hopewell.

“When I first got the job here, we had 24 seniors,” Washington said. “Then we ended up losing everybody. By the third year, we were down a little bit. But with the weightlifting and the seven-on-sevens, we’re building a culture here. The younger guys are buying in, and the older guys know what to expect. I love everything about this team, top to bottom.”

To climb the next rungs of the conference ladder toward a WPIAL playoff spot, the Vikings will be counting on senior captains Connor Forrest, Garret Nicol and fourth-year letterman DeShaun Sanders.

Battling it out at quarterback during training camp to replace the injured Mason Colvin will be junior Jay’Von Jeter and freshman Micah Kimbrough.

Washington said Colvin is still expected to be part of the team.

The Vikings defense will vary between a 4-3 and a 3-4 look.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in the team this year,” Lewis said. “Hopefully, we can make it to the playoffs; we haven’t done it for a long time.”

One staff void Washington had to fill is at offensive coordinator, where Zack Hayward took the Blackhawk head coaching job. Washington chose himself as the replacement.

“I took over the job myself, and Daniel Hilton and Jonathan Baldwin will be my defensive co-coordinators,” the coach said.

Hopewell will open its 79th football season with a Week Zero road game against cross-river rival Freedom.

Schedule

Coach: Mark Washington

2017 record: 4-6, 2-4

All-time record: 358-367-25

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Freedom, 7:30 p.m.

8.31, at Mt. Pleasant, 7 p.m.

9.7, Keystone Oaks*, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Waynesburg, 7 p.m.

9.21, South Fayette, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Aliquippa*, 7 p.m.

10.5, South Park*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Central Valley*, 7 p.m.

10.19, Quaker Valley*, 7 p.m.

10.26, at Beaver Falls*, 7 p.m.

*Class 3A Tri-County West Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Mason Colvin

46-109, 568 yards, 9 TDs

Rushing: DeShaun Sanders

130-573 yards, 7 TDs

Receiving: Tyler Sabo*

21-282 yards, 7 TDs

* Graduated

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart