The Hermon Hawks made an early season statement in the Class C Football ranks on Friday night in Dover-Foxcroft. Sam Hopkins rushed for over 200 yards and scored three touchdowns, as Hermon defeated Foxcroft Academy 26-6 in a season opener played at Oakes Field.
The Hawks never trailed, and opened the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run from Hopkins in the second quarter for a 7-0 lead. The Ponies, in their first game since transitioning from Class D to Class C, answered on a short scoring pass from Evan Seavey to Lucas Sands in the back of the endzone. Foxcroft failed though on the extra point and trailed 7-6 at halftime. Hopkins scored again on a 47-yard run in the third quarter that made it 13-6, as the extra point was blocked by Sands. The huge series of plays came in the fourth quarter when Foxcroft Academy was attempting to tie the game, but was stopped on fourth down and short inside the Hermon 10-yard line. Hopkins on the second play after the change of possession took a handoff and went up the sideline for a 93-yard touchdown scamper to help extend the lead. An interception by Hopkins helped to seal it, as that led to a three-yard TD run by Dylan Yeo to cap off the scoring a couple minutes later.
Hopkins finished his night with 216 yards rushing on 15 carries with three touchdowns, and also had the interception late. Hopkins was named Eastern Maine Sports Media Player of the Game. Quarterback Ethan Curtis was efficient in the passing game in completing 7-7. The Hermon defense was very solid all night, holding Foxcroft to 164 yards of total offense while forcing two turnovers. Finn Holmes had 64 yards rushing to lead the Ponies offense on 11 attempts. Seavey was also perfect going 10-10 passing in his first varsity start with his one touchdown pass to Sands, along with two interceptions. Aiden Harvey added a 65-yard kickoff return. Both teams return to action next Friday night as Hermon hosts Wells at 6 p.m., and Foxcroft heads out on the road for a 7 p.m. kick-off at Oceanside.
