Athlete of the Week Hewitt Tomlin - Football

The Hopkins football season could not have started any better. On offense and defense, the Blue Jays were running on all cylinders during their 45-14 rout of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

As has been the case nearly every week for the last four years, senior quarterback Hewitt Tomlin was at the forefront of this domination. Already the winningest quarterback in school history with 26 victories under his belt--not to mention two Centennial Conference championships--Tomlin exploded on Saturday for six touchdown passes to tie a single-game school record, part of his 28-for-37, 297-yard aerial attack.

The six-foot-two, 190-pounder wasted little time getting to work, slinging three touchdowns in the first half alone, all of which were 15-yards or more.

"All during preseason camp, the goal for the offense was to start fast," Tomlin said. "We reviewed some film from last year and thought that was one area we could improve on. We ended up scoring on the first two or three drives in the first half, and then in second half we scored on our first three drives. So if that was a goal, to get on the board quickly, we accomplished that."

Although his arm launched the Blue Jays to a 21-14 lead at intermission, it was Tomlin's third act that not only catapulted Hopkins to their opening day victory, but etched his name in the Hopkins record books yet again.

To start the second half, Tomlin fired two consecutive passes to sophomore receiver. Dan Wodicka, inlcuding a 37-yard touchdown, triggering a 17-for-17, 189-yard third quarter that included three end zone finders in all.

"[The third quarter] was the result of how we have formatted some of our drills in practice this year," he said. "We get a break in practice now to sort of simulate a halftime, and then come back and hammer out drills, so I'd credit that to our good use of downtime."

Tomlin was removed from the game with 12 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, his Jays leading by 28, but was 19-for-20 through the air in the second half. In the process, Tomlin became JHU's all-time career leader in touchdown passes with 56, passing current head football Coach Jim Margraff's mark of 50 set in 1982.

He also became the first Hopkins field general to throw for over 8,000 yards in a career, and now sits in second-place among all active D-III quarterbacks in passing yards.

"There are a lot of things that have really helped my game, but I can't credit it to one thing in particular," the humble Tennessean said. "I just think it's really important to enjoy your sport in order to succeed at it. It really helps to have the team culture and atmosphere that we have, and get to know everyone and really have fun with it."

While school records have become the norm over Tomlin's four-year stint in black and blue--he now owns or shares 25 Hopkins records--Centennial Conference offensive player of the week honors have also become the usual. In 2010, he garnered back-to-back awards.

"I think the best part about [winning offensive player of the week] is how I find out," Tomlin said. "Sometimes a friend or a family member tells me before I find out on my own, and it's really great to hear it from one of them. If I'm fortunate enough to be honored again, I'm looking forward to how I'm going to find out next."

Tomlin's success is not by mistake. He isn't the biggest quarterback in the Centennial, and he may not be the strongest or quickest either, but he out works them all every day.

"This summer I went back home. I work out with my father when I go home,  and my dad brought down a shower of drills: some that Peyton Manning and some random guys do. [My dad] really worked me out harder than I would've ever pushed myself and I owe this past week and any other accomplishments I may receive this year to him," Tomlin said. His work ethic is also visible to his teammates, who have enjoyed playing alongside him during his career.

To Sam Wernick and Sam Eagleson--Tomlin's roommates and fellow four-year starters--he is everything a friend looks for in a captain and quarterback.

"His work ethic and the attention he pays to the smallest details has led to the great career that he has had," said Wernick, Tomlin's go-to receiver. "It's very easy to work with him because we're always looking for ways to improve and we have a shared desire to win every weekend."

Eagleson echoed Wernick's sentiments.

"He shows his leadership from his poise on the field," the defensive back added. "He always stays modest and calm which results in six-touchdown games and the rest of the team feeling confident as well."

Tomlin's early season heroics may have some Hopkins football fans thinking playoffs after just one game, but the QB himself is taking things slow, knowing from experience how difficult it is to win each game at hand.

"Personally, I want to go to the Elite Eight again," he said. "Although it was a great year, 2009,  I don't think I played that great then. I want to get back there and play at my peak in the NCAA tournament.

"For the team, down the line we want to think like that, but if coach was around he would want us to take it one game at a time, so that's what we do. Speaking in general, we want to make the playoffs, but right now it's win every game and win the conference."

So for now, all Tomlin and the Blue Jays have on their mind is their home-opener, slated for Saturday at 2 p.m against Susquehanna. And what Tomlin wants more than anything is a crowd.

"It's our first home game so you're going to see some good body language from the Hopkins Blue Jays," he said. "Come out to the game and support the football team. It's my senior year, so that's my final wish that I bestow upon this school."

Who knows, maybe Tomlin will do something never seen before on the Blue Jay gridiron.