Hopkins’ hopes for a berth in the post-season high school football playoffs rest on next Friday’s outcome against O-K Silver rival Fruitport.
The Vikings absorbed a 21-7 defeat at the hands of non-league foe Reed City Friday evening, so it needs to defeat Fruitport in order to win a playoff slot.
Strangely, the home-standing Coyotes grabbed a 21-7 advantage at intermission and then both squads failed to score the rest of the way.
Cruz Hutzler scored the Vikings’ only touchdown during the evening on a nine-yard run in the second quarter and Vincente Garza booted the extra point, It was the last score of the ballgame.
Justin VanWagner led Hopkins in rushing with 62 yards and Hitzler added 61, but the team only managed to gain 135 yards on the ground for the game. The defense gave up more than 300 yards rushing to the Coyotes. Henry Teunissen led the defense in tackles and assists and Brayden Smiegel and Jaxson Koperski provided significant support.
Reed City now is 6-2 overall and playoff bound. Hopkins, however, must prove it is worthy by taking out Fruitport at home Friday night in the annual Senior Night.
Martin 58 Lawrence 0
Only a sporting and unpredictable NorthPointe Christian team next Friday stands in the way of the Clippers’ bid for an undefeated season.
It was no contest from the get go Friday night for a winless group of Tigers. Martin now has rolled up 449 points on the season and yielded only 56.
The Clippers will open the post-season playoffs at home on Friday, Oct. 31, and the community has agreed to delay Halloween celebrations and trick or treating by one day, to Saturday, Nov. 1.
Grand Rapids Christian 31 Wayland 21
The Wildcats finished the league season with only one victory in the O-K White Conference. However, they made a respectable showing, losing by only 10 points to a team that finished in second place the league standings.
Wayland, now 1-4 in the O-K White and 2-5 overall, will close out the season next Friday with a non-league encounter against Hastings. The Saxons edged Coldwater Friday night to earn a post-season playoff berth and now own a 6-2 overall record.
