Hopkins has had a history of mastery over North Pointe Christian on the gridiron and it’s had a history of winning or sharing the O-K Silver Conference championship.

One of the two fell by the wayside Friday night in the Vikings’ 33-6 defeat at Comstock Park High School. The custom of winning the league title is in jeopardy now, as the Mustangs have moved into the driver’s seat in the Silver derby.

Yet another custom, Hopkins making the post-season playoffs, also may be in big trouble.

The offense sputtered for the third straight week for Hopkins, which has not scored more than one touchdown since its 34-28 season-opening victory over winless neighborhood rival Wayland. The Viking scored only 7 in a loss to Allendale, were shut out by Berrien Springs and were limited to six points by North Pointe.

The Mustangs opened the scoring with a 29-yard field goal by Ray Brown in the first quarter. They tacked on three touchdowns and Brown’s three extra points in the second period.

Jalen Schaffer went into the end zone from three yards out for the first TD, then scored on a nine-yard run and then T.J. Swore took a 14-yard pass from Spencer Peterson. North Pointe enjoyed a 24-0 halftime cushion.

The Vikings got on the scoreboard in the third quarter on a 10-yard run by Jimmy Lipscomb.

Closing out the scoring were Brown with a 34-yard field goal in the final period and Swore on a 33-yard TD strike from Peterson.

Peterson completed 10 of 16 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, both to Swore. It was the fourth straight time this season the Viking defense has given up at least 100 yards in the air.

Junior running back Cyrus Miner picked up 70 yards in nine carries for Hopkins and Lipscomb finished with 24 in five.

Hopkins has not missed the post-season playoffs since 2006, when it went 4-5. The Vikings have to win all of its remaining five contests to be assured of another appearance and at least four of the five to have a shot at a post-season appearance.

PHOTO: Jimmy Lipscomb (15) scored the Vikings’ only touchdown against North Pointe Christian.