FREEPORT - The math for making the WPIAL playoffs got more difficult when the PIAA chose to expand to six classes. Due to the variety in the amount of schools in classification, the WPIAL has to have different formats for each grouping to choose who will go to the state playoffs. Hopewell is caught in the meat grinder of a section that is the Western Hills Conference.

The Vikings, who are in Class 3A, can qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2012 by finishing in the top three of their section or earning one of the three at-large wild cards. The possibility of needing a wild card to get in was reflected in Hopewell's effort last week against Freeport, which was 6-1 entering the contest.

The Vikings' offense exploded during a 48-20 win over the Yellowjackets, who dropped their second consecutive contest. Hopewell snapped a string of eight consecutive seasons under .500 now wants to make sure it reaches the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2012.

"We drove an hour and a half and took care of business," Hopewell Mottes said. "Our playoffs started last week. We had two tough losses in a row to Beaver and Avonworth. Every game is the playoffs from here on out."

The 6-2 Vikings have two losses, a 51-50 nail biter to Beaver and a big loss at the hands of defending WPIAL champion Avonworth. Hopewell fell to fifth in the conference after those two defeats. The Vikings are tied with the Bobcats, but don't have the tiebreaker.

Things won't get easier for the Vikings this Friday, as they host defending WPIAL runner-up Central Valley. The Warriors (4-4, 3-1) overall record doesn't look pretty, but they played a difficult non-conference schedule. Central Valley has a balanced offense, led by Ethan Shearer, who has 669 rushing yards.

Quarterback Braddock Ambrose has thrown for 1,018 yards. Hopewell has a talented passers of its own in James Armstrong. Armstrong has passed for 1,721 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Running back Nasir Wade ran for 180 yards against Freeport last week and has 901 for the season. Wade also showed his defensive prowess by running an interception for a touchdown last week. If the Vikings can't get past Central Valley, it will wrap up conference play with another difficult game against North Catholic.

The Vikings should be one of the top candidates for a wild card, considering their strong wins against New Castle and Freeport.

Westinghouse has something prove
The Bulldogs (5-3) have had a strange two weeks. Westinghouse had to forfeit a win on the field, 40-14 against Butler on Sept. 19, due to using an ineligible player.

The Bulldogs also took a narrow loss, 28-24, to Karns City on the road and was upended by University Prep last Friday. The loss to the Eagles snapped a 21-game winning streak in City League play.  The Bulldogs will now have to grapple with Allderdice (4-4) in the City League semifinals.

The Dragons, who beat up on Fox Chapel to open the year, looked lifeless last week during a 35-8 loss to Butler. 

Centurions battling back​
Greensburg Central Catholic took a pair of difficult losses to Riverview and Jeannette back-to-back. Now, the Centurions are hoping to find their way back into the playoff picture in a crowded Eastern Conference race. Riverview taking back-to-back losses to Frazier and Brentwood helped opened up some avenues.

The Centurions took care of business last week against Springdale. Greensburg Central Catholic (4-4, 2-3) faces a surprising Frazier team this week in a game that will clear up much of the playoff picture.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

Plum and North Hills have much grander ambitions than their current spots in the Northeast Conference standings would indicate. The Mustangs have dropped three straight games and have yet to pick up a win in conference.

Plum's struggles have come despite quarterback John Nonnenberg showing flashes of ability to put up big numbers. Nonnenberg has passed for 1,002 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. However, Plum's offense took a nosedive in the face of strong competition the past two weeks.

Nonnenberg, who has topped 200 yards passing three times this season, was limited to 37 passing yards in a 56-14 loss to defending WPIAL 5A champion Pine-Richland two weeks ago. He also had a hard time against Penn-Trafford, being limited to 73 passing yards in a 33-14 defeat.

The Indians (1-5, 1-1) put itself in the playoff race with a 56-7 win over Fox Chapel. North Hills is led by quarterback Kelly McCarthy, who has thrown for 660 yards and nine touchdowns. Johnell Edison leads the Indians in rushing, piling up 297 yards on 48 carries.

Can Central Valley scare North Catholic?
The Warriors have had their share of issues going into a Western Hills Conference battle with North Catholic Friday at Stone Field. Central Valley (2-4, 2-1) has taken on its fair share of difficult opponents. The Warriors lost a rematch of the Class 3A WPIAL title game to Avonworth, 34-6.

Central Valley has also taken losses against Thomas Jefferson and Belle Vernon. North Catholic has been beating up all of its opponents so far season. Before losing 36-16 to Imani Christian last week, the Trojans had scored 47 points or more in every game this season.

The Warriors (2-4) have a balanced offensive attack. Central Valley is led by dynamic back Ethan Shearer on the ground. He has 455 yards on 55 carries this season. Warriors quarterback Braddock Ambrose has struggled with interceptions, but has thrown for 737 yards and six touchdowns.

North Catholic quarterback Joey Felitsky has thrown for 1,329 yards and 22 touchdowns. Logan Schade has been his top target, catching 45 passes for 657 yards.

Westmoreland County rivals seek good health
Greensburg Central Catholic and Jeannette could both use a shot in the arm. The Centurions played without their top offensive weapon, Samir Crosby, and were outmuscled in a 26-7 Eastern Conference loss to Riverview. Jeannette is struggling with health issues and took its second consecutive loss against Clairton.

The Jayhawks are seeking to avoid a three-game skid that plagued them in playoff seeding last season. However, things worked out for Jeannette, as the Jayhawks made a run to the WPIAL Class 1A semifinals. Jeannette and GCC are both 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference. The teams are in a four-way tie for fourth place with Frazier and Brentwood. A win does a long way toward solidifying a spot in the postseason.

Can Franklin Regional collect first win?
The Panthers hung tough with Kiski last week. But Franklin Regional (0-6) fell short, 14-7, in Big East Conference action. The Panthers will welcome a team that had a tough weekend in the press.

Fox Chapel has two wins this season, but the Foxes' request to have their game with Pine-Richland be played with shortened quarters drew a mixed reaction. The Foxes received a lot of criticism for the request from a vocal segment of the local sports community. Some of the players agreed with the decision.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.