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.

By Josh Rizzo
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- There is a certainly an expectation within the Westinghouse football program to return to the Pittsburgh City League playoffs for the second straight year. Senior running back/cornerback Jeremiah Nash believes getting there will require work beyond the football field.

The Bulldogs had a breakthrough last year, finishing 5-5 and qualifying for the City League Playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Westinghouse's four regular season conference wins were as many as the Bulldogs had in the previous four seasons.

Their return to the playoffs was spoiled with a 23-20 double overtime loss to Brashear. Westinghouse, which shared the City League regular season championship with University Prep, also dropped a 21-20 decision to Berlin-Brothersvalley in the PIAA playoffs.

Despite the success, Nash would like to see more focus on character building.

"We didn't focus on becoming men," Nash said. "That's the goal this year and will help us win the championship because we fell short. People need to stick together. They didn't pull together through the whole season. Our focus is to improve as individuals so we can become a team."

The Bulldogs will have plenty of experience coming back to make another run at their first City crown since 1996. Quarterback Tay'Von Lee-Mattox returns, along with linebacker Raimere Waters and defensive lineman/tight end Tyre Hicks.

Winning has been a big boon for Westinghouse. The Bulldogs have seen increased enthusiasm and participation.

"We're at about 40," Bulldogs coach Monte Robinson said about the team's numbers. "Last year, we were at about 27 or 30, something like that. We grew."

What impresses Nash, who would like to end up at Carnegie Mellon to play football, is how the group has performed. The players aren't thinning out once camp started as they have in the past.

"The numbers change every year," Nash said. "We have 30 or 40 every season. When the season begins, the numbers will go short. This season, everybody stuck together and they just stayed. I was surprised because it wasn't the usual thing that happens every year. I like it."

Robinson believes the success helped turnout. More importantly, it gave community members the impression Westinghouse could help build young men. Just as Nash hoped.

"Winning always helps," Robinson said. "Ultimately, I think we built the program up to the point where parents are seeing the benefits of being apart of what we're doing, not just athletically, but academically."

Westinghouse's rise
2016: 5-5, 4-1*       Lost 23-20 2OT to Brashear in City League semis, 21-20 to Berlin-Brothersvalley in PIAA 2A playoffs 2015: 2-8, 1-4        Lost 14-6 to Chestnut Ridge in PIAA Class AA playoffs.
2014: 1-7, 0-5         Lost 35-0 to Chestnut Ridge in PIAA Class AA playoffs
2013: 1-9, 0-5         Lost 55-20 to Chestnur Ridge in PIAA Class AA playoffs
2012: 1-7, 1-4
2011:  3-7, 2-5
2010: 1-9, 0-8
2009: 3-7, 3-5          Lost 29-6 to Bedford in PIAA Class AA playoffs
2008: 3-5, 3-3
2007: 1-9, 1-7
2006: 1-8, 1-7
2005: 0-8, 0-8

*Shared City League regular season title with University prep