The fortunes of Hopkins football went up again Friday night, but the fortunes of Wayland continued to go down.
Hopkins, still entertaining ideas of making the post-season playoffs, improved its chances with a 45-0 pasting of O-K Silver Conference cellar-dwelling Holland. The Vikings are now 4-3 on the season overall and 2-3 in league play.
The Vikings continued their resurgence in their ground game with 357 yards.QB Merek Zapolnick scored two TDs and threw for 83 passing yards. Receiver Jackson Iciek had 52 of them and one touchdown.
Cruz Hitzler rushed for 129 yards in 14 attempts and Justin VanWagner had 111 in 14 carries.
Blake Schwartz fired a 16-yard TD pass to Aidan Schwartz in the fourth period to close the evening’s scoring.If they win their last two encounters this season, they will win an automatic bid. If they split the two, they’ll still have a fighting chance to extend their season.
But Wayland meanwhile is seeing its playoff prospects slipping away. The Wildcats lost 48-19 Friday to O-K White Conference leader Grand Rapids West Catholic. Their league record now is 1-4 and they are 2-5 overall.
Wayland’s only victory in conference play was over Hamilton, which suddenly has gotten hot with one unexpected victory last week. The Hawkeyes were edged by second place Grand Rapids Christian, 29-28 in overtime, threatening to move ahead of Wayland. Now the two are tied for last place in the league standings.
Hopkins is sitting 25th in Div V. As only the top 32 make the play-offs they need at least one victory to have a chance.
This week they play Div VI power Reed City (5-2) a win over the Coyotes would likely ensure the Vikings making the post season. In week 9 they play Fruitport Div III (3-4). A member of the OK Silver Fruitport has been very inconsistent and could be the win Hopkins needs.