Hopkins Football Eyes Success In 2011

Hopkins football coach John DenHartog is heading into his eighth year leading the Royals’ varsity squad, and he continues to enjoy watching the program grow from top to bottom.

Last year’s team was the latest to flourish under DenHartog. The Royals went 7-4 and reached the section finals for the second time in four years.

The key, DenHartog said, is preparation from the ground up.

“The kids continually improve and work harder and harder each offseason,” he said. “I think the kids in the lower levels see the amount of effort and time put in.”

Hopkins opens camp on Monday, and their expectations are equally high in 2011. DenHartog said the goal for his program is to be a state contender year after year. Fortunately for the Royals, they see the state’s elite each year competing against Eden Prairie, Wayzata and Minnetonka in the Lake Conference.

Hopkins hosts Apple Valley on Sept. 1 to open the season.

“We enjoy that challenge,” DenHartog said. “We look forward to it and enjoy those big games against those good schools.”

KEY RETURNERS

The Royals use a spread offense, which complements its current personnel. Senior wide receiver Andre McDonald will again lead the Hopkins offense and flourish in the spread format.

McDonald led the team with 64 receptions, 1,144 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. A top Division I prospect, McDonald average 17.9 yards per reception a year ago.

“He’s one of the top wide receivers in the state,” DenHartog said. “He’s just a tremendous athlete and just a really good player.”

Defensively, Tayvaughn Blair hopes to rebound from a season-ending ACL injury a year ago. The defensive back was injured in the third game of the season last year, but hopes to return and lead a Royals defense built on speed and pursuit. Hopkins had 10 interceptions, five fumble recoveries and 22 sacks last year.

KEY LOSSES

Hopkins quarterback Billy Gregg passed for 2,849 yards last year and 31 touchdowns as a senior, earning him state recognition and a spot in June’s Minnesota All-Star Football game.

Wide receiver and defensive back Ben Christopher had 48 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble a year ago and will be missed in the secondary. On the offensive line, Kevin Russell will also be missed.

“We lost some good players last year,” DenHartog said. “But hopefully the younger guys are ready to step in.”

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Royals haven’t had a losing season since 2005, and in three of the past four seasons they’ve lost to current Lake Conference rival Eden Prairie in section play.

Heading into 2011, the Royals hope to build off last year’s success and continue to grow into that perennial conference and state contender.

If the Royals hope to reach state for the first time since 2006, they’ll likely need to muscle through their Lake Conference schedule and battle the Eagles in the postseason once again.

“It will be tough, but anything can happen,” DenHartog said. “We feel like we’ve got a decent chance, and we’ve got the type of kids that are ready to work hard and make it happen.”