Hilltoppers Open Season 1-0 With Win Over Wildcats

On Saturday, September 7th, the Hopkins Hilltoppers kicked off their season with a home matchup versus the Rye Country Day School Wildcats.  As Hopkins hoped to get their season off to the right foot, they knew they would be in for a tough matchup against the 2023 Metropolitan Independent School Football League (MIFL) Champions.

Hopkins began the game on offense and capitalized on a quick start, due in part to a 35 yard passing connection from senior captain Mars Fine ‘25 to Marcus Rosario ‘26 to set the Hilltoppers up at the 10 yard line.  2 plays later, Maurice Ellis ‘27 rushed into the left side of the end zone for the Hilltoppers first touchdown of the season to make it 6-0.  After a few unsuccessful drives, Rye would respond later in the first quarter on a 58 yard passing touchdown, followed by a converted extra point to put the Wildcats ahead 7-6.  Late in the second quarter, Hopkins saw another long passing connection, this time on a 36 yard completion from Fine to junior captain Tommy O’Connell ‘26.  Although they were unable to capitalize on the big play and come away with points, the Hilltoppers headed into halftime with good momentum for a tightly contested second half.

Early in the second half, a Hopkins’ special teams miscue resulted in a safety to set the score at 9-6 and gave the ball back to the Wildcats.  Hopkins defense would continue to play well for the rest of the 3rd quarter and keep the difference at 3 points heading into the 4th quarter.  It was in the 4th quarter that Hopkins put big plays together that would prove to be the difference in the game.  Facing a 3rd and 8 at the Wildcats 49 yard line, Fine would connect with Cole Blotney ‘27 on a quick out route that he turned up the field and raced down the sideline into the end zone to put Hopkins ahead 12-9.  Fine went back to Blotney on the 2-pt conversion and Hopkins pushed the lead to 5.  Building on the momentum of the big score, Hopkins defense produced sacks on 1st down (Nate Levitt ‘26) and 3rd down (senior captain Matt Goos ‘25) to force a Wildcats punt.  After a nice punt return from Blotney, Fine would call his own number on a quarterback rollout and scampered into the endzone for a 25 yard score (with nice downfield blocking from Goos and Tommy Corwin ‘27) to put Hopkins ahead for good (22-9 after a converted Ellis 2-pt play).  Hopkins produced one more highlight on defense, resulting in a strip sack from Aedan Flanagan ‘26 and recovery by Holden Scheps ‘27.  As the clock struck zeroes, Hopkins celebrated the win to start 1-0 on their 2024 season.

The Hilltoppers will host another home matchup next Saturday, September 14th versus the 1-0 Hackley Hornets (20-13 win over King School).  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00pm and we hope to see many of our family and friends at the game!

Go Hop!