Hopkins Falls Flat to Start Season 1-2

On Saturday, the Hilltoppers boarded another bus to make the 3-hour trip down I-95 and across the Mario Cuomo (formerly Tappan Zee) Bridge to face conference opponent Morristown Beard for their 4^th meeting in 4 years. Unlike the previous years where the Hilltoppers would emerge victorious, this time the Morristown Beard Crimson would prove too much and come out on top to the score of 40-27.

The game started in warm conditions on a hot turf surface, as Morristown Beard moved the ball on the ground on their first possession and set up a fourth and goal at Hopkins 4 yard line. On the next play, Matt Diaz ’23 busted through the line, sacking Morristown’s QB and stripping the ball which the Hilltoppers recovered. Hopkins possession would be short lived though, as a Phil DeLise ‘20 interception turned the ball back over to the Crimson in prime field possession. 4 plays later, the Crimson would rush in the endzone on a QB keeper to set the score at 6-0. Hopkins second drive would not start much better than their first, which saw another interception turn the ball over to the Crimson across midfield. The Crimson would repeat their first touchdown performance with another keeper by the QB from 10 yards out to set the score at 14-0. After another failed Hopkins drive and possession by Morristown, Matt Diaz punched the ball out and Phil DeLise fell on it to get the ball back for the Hilltoppers. The next offensive possession for Hopkins would prove fruitful, as Pearson Hill ’23 ran up the middle from 3 yards out for the score. The Mike Lau ’20 extra point would make it 14-7. Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers, Morristown would score again before the half to make it 22-7 Morristown mid-way through.

The second half would see sparks of life from the Hilltoppers, but sadly would continue in a similar fashion to the first. After a long touchdown run to make it 28-7 Morristown, Pearson Hill stripped the Morristown QB and returned it deep into Crimson territory to set up the Hilltoppers offense in good field possession. Frustratingly, Hopkins would turn it back over to Morristown and they would extend their lead to 34-7. Hopkins next drive saw Matt Diaz get his second score of the year on a 53 yard trap play to close the gap to 34-14 (Diaz played well all game and added 2 Forced Fumbles on defense). After a Hilltoppers defensive stop, they would find the endzone again to make it 34-21 on a John Stanley ’21 to Mike Lau pass mid-way through the 4^th quarter. This is the closest Hopkins would come, after another rushing touchdown put the game out of reach at 40-21. Hopkins scored on their final possession to end the game at 40-27, as John Stanley hit Carson Hill ’24 for his first varsity touchdown of his young career.

This was a game of frustration and exhaustion for the Hilltoppers team, but they will look to quickly rebound as they face division opponent Fieldston at home this Saturday at 3:30pm. We hope to see many of our family, friends, and supporters as we look to do battle in league play and improve on our 1-2 record!