West Catholic entered the district final game as the hottest team in the state rolling through opponents en route to a 19 game win streak. They extended that streak to 20 tonight and in dominating fashion as they beat up on Hopkins 48-12.

Hopkins was able to turn the Falcons over early when Travis Russell fumbled on the second play of the game. However, Hopkins returned the favor after two plays of their own. On third down, Quincy Collings coughed up the football and Ben Sweedyk jumped on it for West Catholic.

Russell completed three straight passes followed by a 21-yard scamper of his own getting the ball into Viking territory. The very next play, Travis Russell connected with David Fox from 10 yards out to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead.

After a three-and-out for the Vikings, Russell was at it again busting off a 38-yard run. Facing a 4th and 1, Russell used a hard count and drew the Vikings offsides as the drive continued. Russell darted in from 14 yards out giving West Catholic a 14-0 advantage.  

Hopkins got thing going on the ensuing drive as Jimmy Lipscomb ran between the tackles, bounced it out side and 32 yards later was stripped by Dan McAlary in Falcon territory.  Hopkins dialed things in defensively and held.

Wyatt Stegeman had rushes of 5 yards and 24 yards as he handed the workload over to Sid VanderTuin for a 12-yard gain.  Quincy Collings got in on the mix with a 16-yard rush as the Vikings showed signs of promise. Stegeman was able to blast through the line for a 2-yard touchdown run, tightening the gap to 14-6.

Russell got in on his third touchdown of the game in the second quarter with a 24-yard strike to Bryce Witham. Witham lead the way for the receivers with 7 catches for 66 yards and a TD.

Stegeman was able to capitalize on some good blocking and some solid yardage from Collings, with a 3-yard touchdown and his second of the game. Stegeman ended with 14 carries for 74 yards and 2 scores.

Russell targeted Charlie O’Connor for 13 yards, and then found Sam Neville with a perfectly placed back shoulder strike in the corner of the end zone as the Falcon’s really started to solidify things at 28-12 ending the half.

Right out of the gates in the second half the Falcons defense held Hopkins forcing them to punt. Russell got right after it with a 51-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Conner Nemmers.

Hopkins continued to try to get things going on the ground with Stegeman and Collings. Collings lead the way offensively for Hopkins with 90 yards on 15 carries. Defensively for the Vikings, it was all Jalen Kisner, Anthony Steffens, and Noah Kraft with 9.5, 6, and 5.5 tackles each.  

Travis Russell totaled 185 yards through the air, tossing 4 touchdowns. He added 166 rushing yards and a score. Nick Buursma punched in a touchdown from 2 yards out finishing the game averaging 7.5 yards a carry, 75 yards on the ground, and a score. Finally, Mason Theile found pay dirt from 1-yard out to close the scoring for the Falcons.

Hopkins ended the season at 9-2, while West Catholic continues their impressive streak and has their sights set on Ford Field.