Football bests Diplomats to stay unbeaten

In the final nineteen minutes of Saturday’s game against Franklin and Marshall, the Hopkins football team not only saved its undefeated season, but secured the Centennial Conference title as well as a bid to the upcoming NCAA playoffs. Capturing the Centennial Conference Championship marks the sixth time the Blue Jays have managed to do so in as many years. The Jays scored 23 unanswered points in a come-from-behind victory that ended 33-14 for their sixth straight conference title and tenth all-time. The game started with a huge play from sophomore Bradley Munday who returned the opening Franklin and Marshall punt 80 yards all the way to the six-yard mark. Junior Brandon Cherry punched through the defense and into the end zone on a three-yard score two plays later to give the Jays an early lead. Diplomats quarterback Matt Magarity marched his offense efficiently down the field two drives later before handing off to Diplomat running back Scott LaValva who found an opening against a tough Hopkins goal line defense for a short yardage touchdown to tie the game at seven. Both offenses cooled off during the remainder of the half, failing to complete any play longer than 15 yards. Midway through the third quarter, Franklin and Marshall moved to gain its only lead of the day when LaValva again found enough daylight to score from one yard out, bringing the score to 14-10. Then senior Braden Anderson and the Hopkins offense took over to shock the Diplomats with their big play ability. Anderson found Munday on a 59-yard touchdown pass to begin the comeback. The play was Munday’s third 50 plus-yard touchdown reception in as many games as he accumulated a career high 183 all purpose yards. He attributed most of his success to his quarterback. “I have been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to have the opportunity to make plays,” Munday said. “But it wouldn't be possible without the breakout performances of Braden and the rest of the offense.” With momentum on their side, the Hopkins defense forced a quick three and out, punctuated by a huge tackle for a loss by junior safety Brady Watts, which gave the offense the ball back late in the game. Sophomore running back Dionisio Roman had three rushes for 18 yards before Anderson took matters into his own hands, beating defenders for a 54-yard touchdown sprint that extended the Jay lead to 24-14. Senior Hani Annabi and junior Curtis Antrum created havoc for Magarity and the Diplomat offense, forcing a fumble and an intercepted pass that set up what would eventually become the final touchdown of the game. With good field position after the pick, the Jays worked their way 49 yards for sophomore running back Stuart Walters to convert on a third down run all the way to the end zone to secure their lead at 31-14. With two minutes remaining and time now working against Magarity and the Diplomats offense, senior Michael Rocca sacked the quarterback in the endzone for a safety and the victory. Anderson ended the day 15-30 with 165 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, adding a career high 73 yards on the ground including his 54-yard score, which was the longest quarterback rush since 2010. On the other side of the ball, sophomore Jack Toner had another solid game on defense, adding seven tackles with a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Magarity ended the day 9-18 for 105 yards including 90 rushing yards, while LaValva accounted for the scoring with two touchdowns on 71 yards. According to Munday, facing adversity against Franklin and Marshall will help the team’s postseason aspirations. “To regain the momentum and finish the game strong was exactly what we needed going forward to increase our confidence going into the NCAA playoffs," Munday said. With their regular season winning streak at 20 games, the Jays look forward to their game next week at McDaniel where they close out the season at Homewood Field before the playoffs begin.