Football: Hopkins sets school record in 57-50 win

With a school record for points in a Class 6A game, Hopkins held off a late surge by Park of Cottage Grove in a 57-50 prep football victory Sept. 27.

It was homecoming week for the Royals, and if there were any distractions, they didn’t slow down an offensive juggernaut. The Royals improved to 3-2 for the season with a mix of passing and running plays. Junior running back Desmond Moody scored three touchdowns and junior wide receiver Jayden Moore put four touchdowns on the board as Hopkins scored 27 points in the first half and 30 in the second. Park countered with 24 points in the first half and 26 in the second. The Wolfpack scored the last two touchdowns of the night.

Hopkins head coach Chauncy Williams-Barefield might have already earned state Coach of the Year honors in Class 6A football. Before he arrived in Hopkins, the Royals had lost 29 games in a row. After dropping the first two games this season, the Royals have defeated their last three opponents - Eastview, Burnsville and Park.

“We’re not where we need to be yet, but we are making progress,” coach Williams-Barefield said after the homecoming victory over Park. “Our guys are going hard and finding ways to win.”

The Royals’ success on offense begins with the immense talent of the skill-position players. Jayden Moore, an All-Lake Conference basketball player, is out for high school football for the first time. Earlier this season, coach Williams-Barefield called him “a world-class athlete” and there aren’t many of those in Minnesota high school football.

“Jayden is really in a good groove now after not playing football for several years,” Williams-Barefield said. “Offensive coordinator Bryan Cupito has put the Moore-to-Moore combination in positions to be successful.”

The young man throwing to Jayden Moore is often his freshman brother Tre Moore.

“When you have a freshman quarterback, you need to make sure the stage is not too big for him,” coach Williams-Barefield said. “It is such a big jump from eighth-grade football to varsity. He has handled it with a lot of poise and confidence.”

Moody’s rushing complements the passing game, and the big Hopkins offensive line, led by senior captain Nathan Dobbs, has opened the holes. “Desmond has let his God-given ability take over,” the coach observed.

Next for the Royals is a trip to Roseville at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, for a game at Roseville High Stadium.

“Roseville likes to run the football,” coach Williams-Barefield said. “Giving up 50 points against Park is not our standard. We have to improve - one week at a time. We’re looking forward to taking on another good team Friday night.”