Warhawk - PS3 - How do I play a split screen game, offline?

I just purchased Warhawk for my PS3. I am stuck with a dial-up internet connection, and there's no way Comcast will run a line up to us (we're on top of a mountain). I know that it is intended mainly for online play, but I wanted to play split screen with my buddies, like it says on the box. But it won't allow me. I click "start" passed the main screen and then click "local games" it then tries to initialize the network, but then fails and gives me the error message, "The network hardware is not initialized yet. Try again or check connections". I've connected my PS3 to a 16-port hub, along with my laptop at the same time. Making a small LAN, right? But it still gives me the error message. I've read numerous reviews from different sites, and I can't find a straight answer.

Do I first have to initialize my network on my PS3 menu before trying the game?? If so, how?

Is a hub doing the job?? Or should I try a switch or a router??