District title gives Hopkins’ Weaver milestone victory

By Walt Kaechele
Senior correspondent

The victorious Vikings’ football team hoists the Division 5 District 2 trophy over their heads in celebration of their win over visiting Berrien Springs last Friday, Nov. 7, 46-26. The Vikings now move on to regional action at Muskegon Oakridge Friday, Nov. 14. (Photo by Rick Mack)

HOPKINS—Hopkins coach Rex Weaver received more than a victory in his team’s Division 5 district title game on Friday, Nov. 7. The 46-26 win over visiting Berrien Springs was Weaver’s 200th win as the Vikings’ head coach, putting him in the company of Plainwell’s legendary coach Jack Streidl.

Following the district title presentation, Weaver was presented a plaque listing his accomplishments during his tenure as the coach of the Vikings. When asked what he was most proud of Weaver said, “I got all those wins at Hopkins the whole time. I came to Hopkins in 1972 and spent nine years as the J.V. coach and I’ve been here ever since. I love it here. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some excellent coaches and the kids have been just great. There is a real love of football in this area and because of that the kids work so hard to be good football players and I love it.”

The team was aware of the significance of the game beyond the district championship title and they were ready.

Hopkins quarterback Jeremiah Pavlak said, “We knew this would be his 200th win and we planned on getting it for him.”

Planned or unplanned, getting Weaver’s 200th win was not an easy task as the teams were tied at 14 going in at the half. Hopkins took an early 7-0 lead following a 10-play drive covering 75 yards concluded by a five-yard dash by the speedy Cameron Crowe.

Berrien Springs came right back at the start of the second quarter on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Nolan O’Brien to wideout Ryan Siebenmark. The extra point failed and Hopkins maintained a slim one-point lead

The Vikings went right back to work with another patented grind-em-out, 14-play drive, capped off by Pavlak’s three-yard run to take a 14-6 lead.

Following a good kickoff return, the Shamrocks scored quickly and with only 46 seconds remaining in the half tied the score after a one-yard run and a successful point after try.

The game was up for grabs and the Vikings were ready to strike first at the start of the second half. Crowe, using excellent blocking, broke a 72-yard run that seemed to unsettle the Shamrocks because on their next three possessions they turned the ball over.

Nolan Hazen and Pavlak got things going for the Vikings when Pavlak made a good hit on the running back and Hazen stripped the ball. Three plays later Pavlak scored again on a three-yard run to make the score 26-14.

On the next series, Chad Althouse teamed up with Ethan Green for the second turnover. Althouse, following an earlier sack, forced a bad throw from O’Brien that Green intercepted. Four plays later Kevin Stein broke one for 58 yards and the Vikings were up 32-14.

On the ensuing kickoff, Job Rabideau recovered the second Shamrock fumble and six plays later Crowe struck from 15 and Hopkins was in charge 39-14 at the end of the third quarter.

Hopkins coach Rex Weaver (left) receives a plaque commemorating his 200th win as the Vikings’ head coach. The win came in the Division 5 district finals against Berrien Springs. (Photo by Rick Mack)

“Of course those turnovers were huge,” said Berrien Springs coach Bill Bergan. “But give a lot of credit to Hopkins. They ran right past us tonight. We couldn’t get in a groove offensively tonight and their line did a nice job. We couldn’t stop 53 (Althouse).”

Weaver agreed with Bergan’s assessment of the Viking line. Weaver said, “I’ll tell ya. At the beginning of the season I didn’t know where we’d be with the line, but I’m real happy with the play of the line right now. They’ve worked so hard and have become so much better that we can make adjustments with them now. They have come a long way.”

Berrien Springs added two more scores on a nine-yard pass and a 15-yard pass. Pavlak scored his third TD of the night to complete the scoring.

On defense Hazan had a good night, making four tackles, a fumble recovery and broke up two passes. Rabideau was equally busy with three tackles, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and a pass break up. Ben Batenburg shored up the middle with eight tackles, one for a loss. Althouse and Brad Teusink were all over O’Brien, forcing him to make several hurried throws and sacking him once.

On offense, both Stein and Crowe had big nights. Stein rushed for 156 yards on 21 carries and one TD. Crowe had 205 yards on 19 carries and three TDs.

The Vikings outgained the Shamrocks 456 yards rushing to 111 yards. O’Brien, despite the wet, windy weather, had a good night throwing the ball connecting on 13 of 22 for 138 yards and three TDs.