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Hilltoppers Open Season 1-0
On Saturday, September 19th, the Hilltoppers kicked off their season at home with a matchup against the Horace Mann Lions. Under sunny skies and fall temperatures, the two teams played a close game with Hopkins ultimately prevailing 17-13.
Hopkins defense started the game strong forcing a turnover on the Lions first drive. Dylan G. ‘27 stripped the Lion’s ball-carrier and Max A. ‘27 jumped on the loose ball to give the Hilltoppers possession. After a stalled second drive on offense, the Lions fielded a punt at midfield and scampered 47 yards into the endzone to make it 7-0 Lions. The Hilltoppers moved the ball better in the second quarter, making it down to the goalline before an untimely false start on 3rd down moved them back into field goal territory. Daniel H. ‘28 made the 24-yard field goal to cut the scoring to 7-3 just before the end of the first half. In the second half, the Hilltoppers started with a huge special teams play of their own. As the Lions lined up to attempt a 28-yard field goal, Dillon C. ‘28 and Holden S. ‘27 pushed through the middle of the line to block the kick, Dylan G. scooped the ball at Hopkins own 5-yard line and rushed 95 yards up the left sideline and into the endzone to make it 10-7 Hilltoppers (followed by a Daniel H. extra-point). The game swung back the other way quickly, as the Lions hit a deep pass down Hopkins sideline for a 69-yard touchdown to put the Lions back in front just before the end of the 3rd quarter. Another blocked kick from Tri-Captain, Holden S., kept the score 13-10 heading into the 4th quarter. Midway through the 4th quarter, Hopkins took the lead once and for all, as Tri-Captain, Tommy C. ‘27, connected with Dylan G. for a 36-yard touchdown pass to put Hopkins in the lead 17-13. On Horace Mann’s final possession, with the Lions driving deep into Hilltopper territory, Daniel H. made the play of the game when he punched the ball free and Tri-Captain, John O. ‘28, fell on the ball on Hopkins’ 10 yard line. The Hilltoppers kneeled the ball out to finish the game, with the final score 17-13 Hopkins.
The Hilltoppers have a short week to get ready for their next game, as they hit the road to travel to Morristown, NJ on Friday night to face off against Morristown Beard. We hope to see many of our friends and family on the road in what should be a competitive league matchup!
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
Hopkins School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.