Story by Keith Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published August 29, 2026 12:05 A.M.
(Hopewell Township, Pa) From Tony Dorsett Stadium, the Hopwell Vikings and the Avonworth Antelopes met for a week zero game which started with a 57 yard kick off return for Avonworth. Although after a couple running plays the Vikings were able to stop the Antelopes on the 5 yard line.
The Vikings got right to work as James Armstrong led his team down to the 22 yard line and punched it in the next play. The extra point was good, 7 to zero to cap the 93 yard drive.
Next series Jaden Jones took a quick hitter out on the left flat to the house, running through numerous tackles with some fancy footwork for 6 on a 68 yard scamper.
The Vikings came right back with a James Armstrong 50 yard pass to Avery Boker and then Nasir Wade took it in down the sidelines.
End of first 7 to 7.
The Hopewell defense held and got the ball back. James Armstrong hit Avery Boker on the fly route and Bokor went up higher than a kite to grab a circus catch and made it look easy for a beautiful reception.
The drive stalled Hopewell. They went for a field goal but it was blocked and picked up by Avonworth’s Teddy Sweeney who took the ball to the 10 yard line.
Jaden Jones busted into the end zone for the Lopes but the TD was called back on a holding call. Then more misfortune came again when Greg Gigliotti came up and stepped in grabbing a very tight interception to end the half.
Teddy Sweeney took the kickoff and took it out to the Hopewell 50 and then went in to the bag of tricks with the super duper flea flicker. It was picture perfect.
The 3rd quarter was back and forth. Brody Rock had a couple of big plays, he made a big 15 yard sack and got a piece of a Lopes punt that went negative yards.
Then Hopewell’s punt snapped it over Rocks head putting the ball first and goal from the 7 yard line for Avonworth. One play and the Lopes scored making it 21-14 encroaching on Hopewell’s lead.
Both teams battled back and forth to end the 3rd quarter. Naiser Wade scored a touchdown and James Armstrong sneaked another TD across.
The Hopewell Vikings came out with the victory 35 to 14.