Winning is nothing new for the Hopkins Blue Jays football team, who posted a 10-2 record last season; and this season was nothing new as the Blue Jays won their 11th season-opening game in the last 15 years. After a preseason of beating up on each other, the Jays finally were able to take out their aggression on an opponent, and did so in a big way. Hopkins took on Randolph-Macon in Ashland, VA. In the past Randolph-Macon has provided an equal matchup against Hopkins, as the Jays have actually fallen behind early in both their 2006 and 2008 matchups, only to come back and win the game. However, that was not the story in this meeting as the Blue Jays controlled the tempo for much of the game.
Randolph-Macon jumped out to an early lead starting with a good return on the opening kickoff, starting their possession at the Blue Jay 44-yard line. In just six plays, junior quarterback Zac Naccarato found senior tight end Matt Williamson in the back end of the end zone to give the Yellow Jackets an early 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing possession the Blue Jays marched right down the field, but failed to convert on a fourth down play, giving the ball back to the Yellow Jackets. The script seemed to be following recent history, however, the Blue Jay defense promptly made sure to put a stop to any potential early Yellow Jacket run.
The Jays quickly forced a punt that was downed at their own 11-yard line and the Hopkins offense quickly went to work. The offense, full of returning seniors, boasts an offensive line including two pre-season All Americans in seniors Armand Jenifer and Ben Cranston, senior quarterback Robbie Matey, and senior wideouts Bob D’Orazio, Dan Wodicka, and Brendan Hartman.
Hopkins kept the drive alive early by converting a pair of third-downs. Then Matey connected with D’Orazio for a 29-yard gain putting them inside Randolph-Macon’s 10-yard line. On the next play Matey hit sophomore Ryan Finkel on a wide receiver screen to tie the game at seven late in the first quarter.
Hopkins forced a quick three-and-out on the ensuing Yellow Jackets’ drive. Matey and his offensive line drove the Blue Jays 72 yards in 15 plays, capped off by Matey finding Hartman from 16 yards out for his second scoring pass of the day, putting the Jays ahead 14-7.
The score stayed the same until halftime thanks to a Randolph-Macon defensive stand inside the red zone. The Blue Jays received the ball in the second half and started their drive from their own 37. Mixing up this time between the run and the pass, the Jays took the ball down the field in just over two minutes with senior running back JD Abbott bulling in from 2 yards out to extend the lead to 21-7.
Hopkins’ freshman kicker Nick Campbell hit a 26-yard field goal to add to the lead, making it 24-7. On the ensuing drive, the Yellow Jackets drove all the way down into the redzone. On third and goal, senior Mike Zikoski tackled the Jackets’ running back for a three-yard loss. The following fourth down play resulted in an incomplete pass allowing the Jays’ to keep their 17-point lead.
The final seven minutes were controlled by the Hopkins offense again, as they went 74 yards to put the game out of reach at 38-14. Armand Jenifer commented on the importance of winning the season opener, “It’s great, especially since we were able to experience a good amount of adversity in it. That can only better prepare us for the upcoming conference games.”
Matey had one of the best games of his career throwing for 318 yards by going 31-of-42 with two touchdowns. His 318 yards are the second most by a Hopkins quarterback on opening day. Finkel had a career high eight receptions for 78 yards and one score. On the defensive side of the ball, Hopkins held Randolph-Macon to just 280 total yards including only 29 on the ground. Chris Ibrahim led the defense with five tackles and senior John Arena, junior Michael Longo, and freshman Charles Strippoli all recorded sacks. Senior punter Richie Carbone bombed two punts for 41 and 35 yards.
The Blue Jays will have their home opener at Homewood Field this Saturday against Susquehanna at 12:30 p.m.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The News-Letter.