Hilltoppers End Season With Win Over Minutemen

On Friday, November 3rd, the Hilltoppers made their last trip of the year down to Newark, NJ for their final game of the season with the Newark Academy Minutemen.  After a Hilltoppers loss last week to King, as well as Newark dropping its game against Horace Mann, the two teams met for the 8th and final game of the 2023 season.  After 48 minutes of action, the Hilltoppers emerged victorious 42-27.

The first half was a back and forth battle between the two teams, with both teams unable to establish a real edge in the game.  Newark scored first on a long pick-6 to establish a 6-0 lead, but Hopkins returned the favor on their next possession after a long Matt Goos ‘25 run set Hopkins up inside the 10 yard line.  2 plays later and Andy Toft ‘24 snuck the ball in from one yard out to make it 7-6 Hopkins.  Newark put together a long drive to take the lead again 14-7, but Hopkins took 3 plays to respond when Toft connected with Will Hensel ‘24 from 33 yards out to knot it up at 14.  On Newark’s next drive, facing 3rd and 14 they connected on a 74 yard touchdown pass to put them ahead 21-14.  Hopkins ran the ball well on their next drive, before Toft would find the endzone again from 3 yards out to even the score at 21.  Tied up at 21, Hopkins forced a turnover on NA’s next possession when Sean Iheanacho ‘26 intercepted the pass and toe-tapped the sideline to give the ball back to the Hilltoppers.  Hopkins would take advantage once again, driving down the field behind long runs from Goos and Maurice Ellis ‘27 before Toft found Hensel on a slant from 1 yard out to put Hopkins ahead 28-21 heading into halftime.  

Hopkins started stronger in the second half, relying on a strong rushing attack to put the game away for good.  After a few costly penalties and looking at 2nd and 20 from just inside midfield, Andy Toft hit Matias Vece ‘24 for a 48 yard score to make it a 2 touchdown lead (35-21).  Newark responded on their next series, driving down the field before punching it in from 9 yards out to cut the lead to 8, 35-27.  Starting from their own 30 yard line, Hopkins needed only 6 rushes to move the ball down the field before Maurice Ellis found the end zone from 10 yards out to put the game away for good, 42-27.  Hopkins defense held strong on their next possession, including a 4th down sack from Tommy O’Connell ‘26 and Eli Ratner ‘24, and Hopkins held on for the victory.  On the final play of the game, Mars Fine ‘25 intercepted the NA pass to end the game for good.  Much credit can be given to Andy Toft’s 5 touchdown performance through the air and ground, strong run games for both Goos and Ellis (Goos- 174 yards rushing, Ellis- 172 yards rushing and 1 TD), and timely kicking from Eli Ratner converting all 6 extra points.  

This wraps up the season for the Hilltoppers, finishing on a strong note with the win.  We thank all of our family, friends, and spectators who came out to see us play this year and we look forward to another season of MIFL play for the 2024 season!