Fans attending Friday's Parkway Conference game between Hopewell and New Castle are expecting to see an offensive show since both teams feature skilled players who are capable of coming up with a big play at any time.

Both teams' coaches agree, however, that defense will be the most important factor in this week four showdown at Hopewell's Tony Dorsett Stadium.

"New Castle runs an offense that's not very complicated, but very explosive," Hopewell coach Dave Vestal said. "Our kids have to read their keys correctly, because one breakdown on defense could lead to a long play for a touchdown."

Hopewell and New Castle are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the Parkway Conference. Both have 3-0 overall records and 1-0 marks in the conference, which ties them with West Allegheny (2-1, 1-0).

"The defenses are going to make the difference," New Castle coach Frank Bongivengo Jr. said. "Both teams have had a lot of big plays during the first three weeks.

"The key for both teams is to keep the opposing offense off the field."

Hopewell is averaging 47.3 points per game. The Vikings opened the season with convincing non-conference wins against Knoch, 47-6, and Mars Area, 47-22, then recorded a 48-6 win at Ambridge in last week's conference opener.

"Hopewell has a lot of offensive weapons," Bongivengo said. "Rushel Shell is putting up big numbers against everybody, but what makes them even more dangerous is the play of their quarterback [Matt Hundenski]. He's much better than the quarterbacks they've had the past few years. A balanced offense like that makes you defend the whole field, and that's not an easy task."

Shell, a sophomore tailback, has continued to put up the numbers he did in the second half of last season. He has rushed for 598 yards and 10 touchdowns on only 50 carries.

Hundenski, a senior, has been almost flawless running the Vikings offense. He has completed 14 of 19 passes for 278 yards and five touchdowns. Mark Ross, a senior wide receiver, has caught seven passes for 176 yards and five touchdowns.

"Hopewell has the best skilled players we will face all season," Bongivengo said. "They are always a threat to score on the big play."

New Castle has faced a stiffer schedule in the opening weeks. The Hurricanes opened with a 20-14 win against Butler, a Class AAAA team, then registered a 35-16 victory against Indiana in week two. Last week, New Castle dominated last year's WPIAL Class AAA runner-up, Blackhawk, in a 33-7 victory.

"We have to keep New Castle's offense off the field," Vestal said. "The key down is third down. We refer to it as the money down. We have to stop them on third down, then control the clock with our offense."

New Castle is led by sophomore quarterback John Matarazzo, who has completed 30 of 45 passes for 576 yards and six touchdowns. Sophomore tailback Justin Fleo (377 yards, five touchdowns) and senior tailback Keith Keene (168 yards, two touchdowns) give the Hurricanes a dangerous one-two threat out of the backfield.

Darian Rice is Matarazzo's favorite target. He has seven catches for 189 yards and four touchdowns.

Fleo broke a New Castle record for yards gained in a single game with Friday's 276-yard performance against Blackhawk. The old record of 275 was held by Greg Solomon, who played in the early 1980s.

"Keith broke Solomon's season rushing record last year," Bongivengo said.

Keene will most likely be on the sidelines for this week's game, however. He missed last week with a staph infection, and is not expected to play.

"The doctors allowed Keith to leave the hospital to come to the game on Friday, but re-admitted him after the game was over," Bongivengo said. "It will hurt not having him in the backfield."

Some believe Friday's game will decide the Parkway Conference title. Vestal doesn't look at it that way.

"It's hard to tell this early," he said. "We still have to play West Allegheny, Montour and Blackhawk. This game will play a big part in deciding the conference championship, but it's not our only big game."

n What: New Castle at Hopewell.

n When: 7 p.m., Friday.

n Where: Tony Dorsett Stadium at Hopewell High School.

n The skinny: Both teams come into the Class AAA Parkway Conference contest undefeated after three games, and both teams have talented sophomores leading their offenses.