The Hopkins varsity football team ended one of its longest losing streaks in recent memory while extending its opponent’s.
The Vikings made sure homecoming Friday night was a happy occasion with a 55-12 victory over visiting Wyoming Lee, which at the same was absorbing its 20th consecutive defeat.
The Rebels are winless at 0-8 this season, lost all nine of their contests a year ago and haven’t won since October 2013 when they blanked Tri-Unity Christian 26-0.
Hopkins, which ended its six-game losing skid, had been known for its gridiron successes in recent years with post-season playoff appearances and O-K Silver Conference championships and co-championships that date back to 2006.
The Vikings, apparently decimated by graduation losses from last year’s squad, won their opener over Wayland 34-28, but then dropped six in a row and were in danger of finishing the season in the league cellar.
Friday night’s victory not only assured Hopkins will avoid that embarrassment, but also gives the squad a shot at moving up to fifth place in the final standings if it can beat Godwin Heights in its season finale next Friday evening at home.
The Vikings were never threatened by Lee. They scored the game’s first 28 points and mounted a 49-6 cushion at intermission and enjoyed the running clock throughout the second half.
PHOTO: Hayden Graczyk was crowned king and Sydney Dykstra queen at the Hopkins homecoming festivities Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Kennedy Miller)