Hopkins Squanders Lead, Drops to 0-2

Hopkins hit the road for their second game of the season, travelling across the Mario Cuomo Bridge (formerly the Tappan Zee) into northern New Jersey to face off against the Wallkill Valley Rangers of Hamburg, NJ.  This was a COVID makeup game, as Hopkins had their two previous matchups cancelled because of positive cases on the opposing teams, so the Hilltoppers did not mind meeting the 2.5 hour travel commitment to make a game happen.  Despite the early Hilltoppers momentum, Hopkins would fall short by 1 point to end the game at 19-18 in favor of the Wallkill Valley Rangers.

The game started out strong for the Hilltoppers who quickly marched down the field.  Starting from their own 18, it would take only 5 plays for Hopkins to run it in, this time seeing Pearson Hill ‘23 take the ball around the left side and into the endzone from 55 yards out.  After a botched snap on the extra point, the score would remain 6-0 in favor of Hopkins.  Hopkins defense forced a quick 3-and-out on the Rangers first two offensive possessions, giving the ball back to the Hilltoppers in their own possession.  Jayson Diaz ‘25 connected with his brother Matt Diaz ’23 on a quick shovel pass which he took for 30 yards to set Hopkins up in the Rangers territory.  An errant Hilltoppers pass would result in a Wallkill interception, but on the next play Jayson Diaz punched the ball out and Andy Toft ‘24 fell on it to recover possession for Hopkins.  Much of the first half continued in a similar manner, with Hopkins' defense playing tight and costly turnovers preventing Hopkins from capitalizing on good drives.  Hopkins' second interception of the first half set Wallkill up deep in Hilltopper territory, and a RB sweep around the right side would tie the scoring at 6-6.  On Hopkins’ next series, Pearson Hill would find the endzone again, this time rushing around the right side from 18 yards out to make it 12-6 going into halftime.  

Hopkins' strong finish to the 2nd quarter spilled over to start the 3rd quarter, as Eli Ratner ‘24 pooched the ball to the right side on the kickoff and Matt Diaz ran under the ball to recover at the Wallkill 42 yard line.  One Pearson Hill run later, and Hopkins would extend their lead to 18-6 (after another botched PAT snap).  Wallkill would respond on their next offensive series.  Facing a 3rd and 23 from their own 24 yard line, the Rangers would toss the ball deep to the left side and connect with a streaking receiver for a 76 yard touchdown.  A converted Rangers PAT made the score 18-13 late in the 3rd quarter.  Each team would continue trading possessions for much of the 4th quarter until Wallkill put together a 7 play 93-yard drive, dumping the ball over a Hilltoppers defender for another score to make it 19-18.  The Hilltoppers would try their best to fight back in, but after an incompletion ended the Hilltoppers final drive the Rangers were able to milk the clock and end the game.  

To see highlights from the game- Click Here!