The football team ended their two game losing streak last week as they came out on top versus the Dickinson Red Devils, 17-10. The game saw the revival of the Hopkins running game, mixed with some excellent play by the Jays defense in the second half, as they outplayed Dickinson and held them to a meager 74 total yards of offense.
This was also the first time that Hopkins has defeated Dickinson since 1996, making it a very special win for the Jays.
The game opened with strong offense by both teams as each squad scoring on their opening drive.
Dickinson received the opening kickoff, and ate up the clock as they drove toward the end zone. However, the Hopkins defense stopped them in the red zone, and the Red Devils put the first points on the board with a 29-yard field goal, giving them a 3-0 lead. The Jays had a great kickoff return and drove 45 yards in nine plays before being stopped. A 32-yard field goal by junior kicker Chris Smolyn tied the game at 3-3.
The second quarter was a battle of strong defenses, and toward the end it looked as if nobody would score again before halftime. However, with just over five minutes left in the half, Dickinson mounted a lightning quick drive, traveling 80 yards in just five plays, which culminated in a five-yard touchdown run.
The Jays offense got the ball back with 2:12 to play in the half and answered right back with a quick drive of their own. Sophomore running back Adam Cook carried the team upfield on series of strong runs, following behind the dominating Hopkins offensive line. With 33 seconds left before halftime, Cook took it in the end zone from eight yards out, and Smolyn's extra point tied the game at 10-10.
The second half saw excellent play from the Jays' defensive unit, as they held Dickinson to just 74 yards total offense and did not allow any more points. Dickinson received the ball, but was forced to punt, and Hopkins also went three and out on their possession. Dickinson then got the ball back and began to drive down the field, but were thwarted once they entered the red zone. At one point they had first down at the Hopkins' 17, but that was as far as they would get. Freshman defensive end Brian Cook stuffed a reverse on second down for a seven-yard loss, and Senior cornerback Mark Robinson broke up a pass on third down. These plays forced Dickinson into a 46-yard field goal attempt, which fell short of the uprights.
The Jays got the ball back at their 29, but fumbled on a reverse on their first play. Dickinson recovered at the 23 yard line and had a great opportunity to score, but the Hopkins defense kept them out of the end zone once again. Another broken up pass by Robinson, and a great tackle by senior defensive end Pat Doyle on the scrambling Dickinson quarterback forced another field goal. This one, a 36-yard attempt, was also no good.
The Jays offense got the ball at the 19-yard line, and started to drive before they were stopped at the 40. Senior punter Rob Fernand punted deep into Dickinson territory, giving the Red Devils a long way to go for a score.
They began to drive up the field again, but were stopped by the Hopkins defense before they could score. On second down at the 31, Doyle and senior linebacker Mike Little sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Dickinson at the 41 for a 10-yard loss. The fourth quarter began with Dickinson in a third down and 18 situation, which they could not convert, so they punted the ball back to Hopkins.
The Jays got the ball back at their 29, and began another long drive up the field. The drive was powered by powerful runs from Cook, freshman fullback Nate Readall and freshman running back T.J. Lyons.
At one point, Lyons attempted a halfback pass to sophomore wide receiver Brian Wolcott, but there was a pass interference call against Dickinson which gave the Jays a first down at the Red Devils' 18 yard line.
A few plays later, Lyons scored the winning touchdown on a nine-yard run. Smolyn's extra point put the Jays up 17-10, and this score would remain for the rest of the game.
The Blue Jay defense sealed the victory by holding Dickinson scoreless for the remainder of the fourth quarter. The Red Devils had a few drives going, but both were cut short by the interceptions of junior cornerback Rich Lamour and sophomore safety Matt Campbell.
Little led the Hopkins defensive squad with 14 tackles on the day, putting him over 200 in his collegiate career. This week, Little was named to the Centennial Conference Defensive Honor Roll.
The Hopkins defensive backfield played excellently as well, allowing the Dickinson receivers only four receptions for 53 yards.
"Dickinson got off to a good start, but by halftime our defense acclimated to their speed and style of play," said coach Jim Margraff. "We came back out, controlled the ball offensively, and the defense stoned them, holding them to 74 total yards in the second half."
This week marked the return of the Jays' high powered rushing attack, led by Cook's 174 rushing yards.
This was his highest single game total of his career, and earned him Centennial Conference Player of the Week honors. On the ground, the Jays totaled 252 yards. "The offensive line had a very good game," commented Margraff.
"When there were holes, the backs hit them, and sometimes when there weren't holes, the runningbacks made some guys miss."
For the first time since 1996, the Blue Jays defeated Dickinson.
Prior to this game, the Jays had a 1-10-1 record against the Red Devils in the past 12 years. With this victory, Margraff hopes the "Dickinson Curse" has been broken.
The Jays improve to 6-2 now with this victory, and 3-1 in the Centennial Conference.
Next week the Jays travel to Franklin & Marshall to face the 3-5 Diplomats.
The Jays need to win their remaining two games to share in the Centennial Conference title.
