Going into Saturday's game against McDaniel, Hopkins football knew how close they were to history. Despite securing the Centennial Conference title and an automatic bid into the playoffs in the weeks prior, the first undefeated season in school history was still on the line.
"Preparing for the game came down to focus," senior cornerback and co-captain Sam Eagleson said. "It is hard not to think about the upcoming playoffs and what seed we will be, but we dug deep and focused on the McDaniel game knowing that it would result in a better playoff position."
Blue Jay pride was also on the line in a rivalry that dates all the way back to 1894. "We knew it would be a hard fought game," Eagleson continued. "They are our rivals and, to them, beating us would make their season."
Hopkins got off to a slow start and McDaniel was able to capitalize on an early Hopkins fumble, the first of six Blue Jay turnovers on the day. After the Green Terror recovered the fumble, sophomore Joe Rollins found the end zone on a one yard run, taking an early 7-0 lead.
Hopkins' resiliency was tested on Saturday, and the Jays managed to rack up three separate comebacks. The first comeback came late in the first quarter when junior running back Jonathan Rigaud scored on a 28-yard run.
After a quick McDaniel three-and-out, Hopkins
took back control of the game, but not for long. On the opening play after the punt, senior quarterback Hewitt Tomlin was hit as he threw, and, McDaniel sophomore defensive back Sean Lajoie caught the free ball and raced 12 yards into the end zone, 14-7 Green Terror.
On the following drive, Hopkins took control of the clock. The Blue Jays put together a 12 play, 80-yard drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown run by senior running back Nick Fazio. However, the game's lead continued to bounce back and forth.
Late in the second quarter, the Green Terror scored after a four-yard touchdown run from freshman quarterback Nick Valori;, but Hopkins refused to trail at the half. With time running out in the second quarter, the Blue Jays put together a picture perfect two-minute drill that resulted in a 28-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Sam Wernick. Tomlin was 5-5 with 70 yards on the drive that tied the score at 21.
The Blue Jays took the lead for good half way into the third quarter. The go-ahead drive took just under two minutes and covered 89 yards. Tomlin connected with freshman running back Matt Berry to finish the drive on a 66-yard touchdown pass, 28-21 Blue Jays.
McDaniel was not able to score a TD for the rest of the third quarter, but they did manage to reduce the deficit to four after a 30-yard field goal from senior kicker Jake Nichols. Hopkins had two more opportunities to increase the lead but were unable to take advantage after a pair of turnovers in the red zone — one by way of interception and the other from a fumble.
However, it was the Blue Jays' defensive squad who stepped up in the end and were able to hold McDaniel to a quick three-and-out with 4:23 remaining on the clock. Hopkins was able to run out the clock to secure the victory.
The win put the Blue Jays at 10-0 on the season, 9-0 in the Centennial Conference, and marked their 15th consecutive victory. dating back to last season. Tomlin had a huge day, going 35-47 for 484 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
His 484 yards were the second most in his illustrious career as well as the second highest in school history. Simultaneously, Tomlin became the first player in school and Centennial Conference history to total over 10,000 career passing yards (10,257).
Sophomore Dan Wodicka and Wernick both topped 100-yards receiving with 159 and 110, respectively. Wernick also wrote his way into the school's record book on Saturday, becoming just the second wide receiver in school history to top 3,000 career receiving yards (3,023). However, Wernick was injured during the game and will not suit up during the NCAA tournament.
On the other side of the ball, junior linebacker Taylor Maciow and senior defensive back Michael Milano lead the defense with nine tackles each.
This Saturday, the 10th ranked Hopkins football team will host St. John Fisher, an at-large bid, in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Division III football playoffs.
The game will mark the first time in school history that Blue Jay football will host an NCAA tournament game. Game time is set for 12 PM. The winner will face either Delaware Valley or Norwich in the Sweet 16.
