Hopewell has been one of the hardest teams to figure out in the WPIAL this football season. But considering the team's injuries, the Vikings' fall from grace has been easier to understand.

Hopewell was impressive in the first three weeks of the season and held the No. 2 spot in the Post-Gazette's Class AAA rankings. But the Vikings were beaten soundly by Chartiers Valley, 27-0, Friday. That came after a 31-15 loss to Blackhawk the previous week.

But Hopewell played the Chartiers Valley game without three of its best players, including two future Division I college players.

Running back/linebacker David Posluszny, lineman Ryan Turnley and quarterback Mark Javens missed the Chartiers Valley game because of injuries. Posluszny, a Notre Dame recruit, was out with a concussion. Turnley, a Pitt recruit, was out with a separated left shoulder from practice Wednesday. Javens didn't play because of an ankle sprain.

All three are expected to play in Thursday night's game against West Allegheny.

"The Blackhawk loss was tough, especially how they came into our field and pretty much just beat us up," Turnley said. "It was a pretty embarrassing loss for us."

The West Allegheny game is key. A loss would put Hopewell in fifth place in the Parkway Conference, and only the top four teams make the playoffs.

"We're going to treat it like our backs against the wall," Turnley said. "We just have to come play our game and not focus on what anyone else is doing. ... Injuries have been our biggest problem. Now that we've got everyone back, I think we'll be able to get into a rhythm. I think we'll be all right."

More injuries

Standout California running back/quarterback Donte Valentino had an ankle injury and did not play in the second half of a 28-13 loss to Jefferson-Morgan. Valentino was the WPIAL's fourth-leading rusher entering the game.

Todd Thomas, a junior standout at Beaver Falls, played sparingly on offense in the Tigers' 18-13 victory against Center because of an ankle injury.

Close to the record

For a lacrosse player, Reed Marko is pretty good at running the football.

Marko, a halfback at Germantown Academy near Philadelphia, came close to the state rushing record Friday when he ran for 453 yards on 37 carries in a 48-26 victory against East Pennsboro. The record is 488 yards, set by Stephen Blose of Harbor Creek in 2005.

Marko is a 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior who has accepted a scholarship to play lacrosse at Fairfield University.

Class cutters suspended

Bethlehem Liberty, the Post-Gazette's No. 2 team in PIAA Class AAAA behind Central Catholic, suspended four starters for cutting class at the end of the school day. But Liberty still rolled past Allentown Dieruff, 37-0.

One of the suspended starters was running back/linebacker Brendan Beale, considered one of the best players in the state. Dieruff came in with an 0-4 record.

"I know people will say we did that just because it was Dieruff, but those kids made a mistake," Liberty coach Tim Moncman told the Allentown Morning Call. "Hopefully, they won't make it again."

Elsewhere

Johnstown's Antwuan Reed, a Pitt recruit, rushed for 292 yards on 27 carries in a 42-39 loss to Somerset. Reed rushed for 348 yards the previous week.

Mechanicsburg has put the inititals "RL" on its field, and the players are wearing "RL" stickers on their helmets. It's in memory of coach Rich Lichtel, who died Sept. 21 from cancer.

Lichtel, 60, was Mechanicsburg's coach from 1981 until this season. He had a 160-121-3 record.