On Nov. 16, the eighth-ranked Jays travelled to Westminster, Md. to face off against the McDaniel Green Terror in the season finale.
Although the team had both a NCAA playoff berth and a Centennial Conference title in hand, the Jays were still playing for their second undefeated season in the past three years. Even with a post-season already guaranteed the Jays routed McDaniel by a score of 52-21, capping off their perfect record.
Hopkins jumped to a 28-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
The Jays got the scoring started on a 10 play, 65-yard drive led by senior quarterback Robbie Matey, who was 7-8 with 58 yards passing on the drive. Matey capped it off with a one yard run for a touchdown to give Hopkins the 7-0 lead.
The Jays needed less than four minutes to expand the lead to 21-0 after Matey completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Dan Wodicka, capping off a quick five-play drive set up by a 26-yard punt return by freshman wide receiver Bradley Munday, which gave Hopkins possession at the McDaniel 35.
Freshman defensive back Jack Toner then ended the Green Terror’s next drive with an interception which he returned 36 yards for a touchdown.
With Hopkins taking the commanding lead, head coach Jim Margraff decided to pull the majority of his starters and give all his healthy players some time on the field, rewarding the players on the team who have been vital contributors throughout the season with some gametime action.
Yet even with the starters on the sidelines Hopkins continued to dominate as junior quarterback Braden Anderson and senior wide receiver Jared Beekman connected on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Jays a 28-0 lead to close out the first quarter.
Junior running back Matt Berry opened up the scoring in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run to put Hopkins up 35-0.
McDaniel was able to get on the board before the end of the half on a 48-yard touchdown pass.
In the late third quarter Hopkins expanded their lead to 45-7 on a one-yard touchdown run from Anderson and a 25-yard field goal from senior kicker Richie Carbone.
Although the Green Terror was able to add two more scores, it was the Jays that ended the day’s scoring on a one-yard rush by junior fullback Cesar Concepcion, capping off a dominating 52-21 victory for the Jays on McDaniel’s home field.
Overall the game was truly a complete team effort as six different players scored touchdowns while Carbone added a field goal of his own.
Despite winning the conference title and having a tournament berth locked up, Anderson commented, “It’s always special to be able to finish the regular season undefeated, especially with a win against in-state rival McDaniel.”
He added, “The fact that this game still factored into tournament seeding and the number of home games we could possibly have for the playoffs also kept us focused during the week.”
He made it clear that the team did not take it easy going into the game and that the team prepared just as thoroughly as they did when more was on the line.
Hopkins will be hosting the #15 Wesley Wolverines at Homewood Field on Nov. 23 at noon in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Anderson made it clear what the game plan was for the week. He said, “Step one of preparation for the NCAA playoffs is to get back at it in practice on Tuesday. We'll continue to watch film of Wesley and the coaches will work out a game plan for Saturday.”
The event is being met with great anticipation by the student body with several events planned leading up to the game.
On Friday night the Student Government Association will be sponsoring a pep rally, featuring smores, a pump up speech, the singing of the school fight song and potential giveaways.
Saturday morning will feature a tailgate. Hopefully these events will be well attended, motivating the student body to pack Homewood Field on Saturday to cheer on the Jays to victory.
Gametime against Wesley is 12PM this Saturday.
