HOPKINS, Mich. --Coming off a season in which Hopkins football had its fewest wins since 1978, the start of the 2016 season wasn't looking all that different than 2015, that is until a passionate half time speech by coach Cody Francis during the season opener against Newaygo. The speech inspired the Vikings enough to turn a 6-6 game at the break into a 36-13 run away win.
"Coach wanted us to come out strong and we didn't in the first half," explained senior running back Brock Eller. "The second half he just fired us up and the captains got us going and we just came out strong."
"I'm just trying to teach these kids life lessons," said Francis. "You have to put everything in everything you do in life. You can't just show up and hope to be the best, you're gonna have to push yourselves. The big thing is I want these kids to challenge themselves and step up to the plate and see what full potential they really do have as people."
Eller showed quite a bit of potential. Scoring three touchdowns, all three in the second half, and all three in different ways, a touchdown reception, a touchdown run and a kick return for a touchdown.
"Definitely, it was teammates pushing me through and blocking was a big help," said Eller. "It was fun seeing us get a win as a team and working together."
Eller and the Vikings will look to move to 2-0 on the season when they host Manistee on Thursday.
