Speed Zone

HOPKINS - John Den Hartog is entering his 7th season at the helm of the Hopkins Royals. He hasn’t had as much talent returning at the skill positions as he does this season.

Bill Gregg returns for his senior season at quarterback. As a junior, Gregg passed for 2110 yards and 19 touchdowns. His favorite target a year ago, Ben Christopher caught 44 balls last year and along side of Treyvon Smith, will give the Royals a vertical threat.

Search the state and you will be hard pressed to find a back with the ability to take it to the house on a play-by-play basis than senior Dami Mafe. His 68 catches and 9.6 yard per catch average gives Den Hartog a homerun threat.

On the defensive side of the ball, junior Travaughn Blair is a beast. He was a huge part of the Royals scheme defensively last year and will be even better (which should be scary for the rest of the conference) this year.

The team worked a 7-3 overall record, including a 6-2 conference mark. After defeating Minnetonka 31-30 in the third week of the season, the Skippers ended the Royals season in the section semi-finals.

This year, the Royals enter the state’s best conference which includes Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka and Edina. There is little doubt; Den Hartog’s team will be primed and ready to go once the post season arrives.