For the second round of the NCAA D-III football playoffs Saturday afternoon, the Hopkins football team took its perfect season to New York to face the also undefeated Statesmen of Hobart College. A 14-yard touchdown pass with under two minutes remaining was the deciding factor as Hobart quarterback Patrick Conlan led his team to a victory and a shot at Wesley in the third round next week.
Hobart gained momentum early when sophomore cornerback Todd Collier intercepted senior quarterback Braden Anderson's first pass of the game to set up a 42-yard field goal. The first offensive drive for the Statesmen displayed their commitment to the run, as they handed the ball off ten consecutive times against the Blue Jays’ stingy defensive front. Hobart was able to march down the field on their next drive with a big play from Statesmen tight end Mike Berkowitz who burned Jays defenders for a 38-yard catch. That’s when running back Bradley Burns got the offense in the red zone with a 17-yard run before punching the ball through the end zone for a short one-yard score.
Late in the first quarter, Anderson looked like he had found some rhythm, completing three consecutive passes and marching the offense 30 yards before cornerback Fajri Jackson forced a fumble out of the hands of Hopkins sophomore Stuart Walters, giving Hobart both the ball and the momentum. The Statesmen, however, failed to convert a first down before a short punt allowed the Jays another offensive opportunity with plenty of time left before the half. Junior running back Brandon Cherry worked his way 11 yards to get things started in the drive before Anderson found sophomore Bradley Munday for a 48-yard grab that put the offense within five of pay dirt. Walters cashed in with a five-yard score with freshman Jamie Sullivan following with the extra point putting Hopkins within three while still trailing 7-10.
The next two drives were duels of defenses with linebackers keying in on ball carriers complemented by tight coverage on the outside. Both quarterbacks failed to create plays until a fake punt by the Jays was stopped at midfield. A pass interference penalty and a 19-yard run by Hobart running back Alex Furtado put the ball deep in Hopkins territory, where Furtado finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown. Hopkins then blocked the extra point.
The Jays answered after recovering a Hobart failed onside kick. Anderson completed two passes that put the ball at Hobart's 20-yard marker and later scrambled for a 15-yard gain. A few plays later, Anderson found sophomore receiver Quinn Donaldson in the back of the end zone, bringing the half to a close with a score of 16-14, Hobart leading.
The third quarter brought each team three unsuccessful drives all ending in punts. Both quarterbacks endured some brutal hits but continued to show poise in the pocket, while improvising to make plays with their legs when necessary. The Jays defense was led by defensive lineman Michael Rocca and defensive back Jack Toner, who combined for 22 tackles. Rocca’s 12 stops were a career high. Sophomore linebacker Jack Campbell added nine tackles of his own while defensive end Michael Longo provided the pressure with his 23rd career sack.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Jays took their first lead of the game when Anderson hit Donaldson on a 28-yard pass, which was preceded by a clutch 16-yard pass to fellow sophomore receiver Boone Lewis Jr.
On their next offensive drive, the Jays squandered a pivotal scoring chance when a lateral got away from Anderson that ended up with Hobart’s defensive tackle Jake Russell. Conlan then led an impressive 88-yard drive that included five passes of more than 10 yards from the senior quarterback with the last going for 14 yards to an open receiver John Fasano in the end zone that gave Hobart the final lead of 24-21.
On its last drive, Hopkins took to the ground in an attempt to extend its season, with Anderson and Cherry churning out some tough runs for key first downs. The momentum was stopped abruptly in dramatic fashion when linebacker Jacob Stanley intercepted Anderson’s pass deep into Hobart territory to secure the win.
Munday had six receptions for 79 yards and Donaldson added five catches for 63 yards and the two scores. Anderson was 17 of 29 for 194 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for a game-high 71 yards to fuel an offense that generated 361 yards. Head Coach Jim Margraff expressed nothing but praise about Anderson’s performance.
“We've leaned on Braden all season, and it was no different today," Margraff said. "He's been a three-year starter for us and a big reason why we've been successful over that time.”
Walters said he was very proud of how the team performed down the stretch.
“It was a great season," Walters said. "Everyone on the team worked hard for our success this year. We never lost focus of our goal and never really got rattled. Our seniors were great leaders and role models. They truly carried our team this year. Next year, I just hope to help lead our team further than this year.”
Margraff, though disheartened by the finish, said he was still very proud of the team's overall record and performance throughout the year.
“We finished 11-1 this season," Margraff said. "There aren't many teams that can say that."
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