Homecoming, a tradition unlike any other, was started by Southwestern University in Texas in 1909. It is a tradition that brings the HHS community together.

 At the game, the atmosphere was electric. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors were all representing their class colors. On a warm September 18 evening, the Hopkins Stadium was sold out and the crowd was treated to a game they will never forget.

 The Royals faced the Minnetonka Skippers for our homecoming game. The Skippers entered the game on a three-game winning streak coming off of an impressive win over Osseo. The 2-2 Royals faced a feat that hasn’t been achieved in five years- winning a homecoming game.

 In the win at Kingsford High School on Sept. 12, junior quarterback Oscar Johnson was taken out of the game in favor of Tyler Lee, senior. Lee led the Royals back from four points down and to a much needed victory in Michigan. The Hopkins coaching staff felt confident in Lee’s relief performance and decided to give the senior the start against Minnetonka.

 Lee entered last season as the starter but only played three games due to injuries.

 Right from kick off, the Royals moved the ball well. On the opening drive, the Royals got as far as the Skippers 28 yard line but the drive was ended on a turnover on downs.

 With under two minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Skippers got on the board with a field goal. The Royals and Skippers traded touchdowns as Lee ran in a one yard touchdown for the Royals followed by an 81 yard touchdown pass from Braden Sikes, senior to Paul Afflitto which gave the Skippers a 10-7 lead.

 This big play marked the last time the Skippers led the game. The Royals scored 14 unanswered to take control of the game with a D.T. Williams, senior touchdown and then a touchdown in the final seconds of the half as Lee connected with Bill Atkins, senior for a 31-yard score.

 The resilience of the Skippers gave them three points on the opening drive of the second half and again with a fumble recovery on the Royals 37-yard line. The Royals lead was cut to only two when the Skippers scored a touchdown but failed on the two point conversion.

 With ten minutes remaining in the game, the main priority for the Royals was to waste as much clock as possible.

 The Royals looked like they would seal the game when a deep ball was put right in the hands of Tajuan Winston, senior but was dropped giving the Skippers back the ball down two points.

 With enough clock time to ruin the night for the Royals, Minnetonka started their attempted game winning drive on the Royals 35-yard line.

 The first play was a pass to right side of the field which found its way into the hands of Royals cornerback Mannie Kugmeh, junior, putting the crowd into a frenzy and the Royals that much closer to a victory.

 A three yard rushing touchdown put the Royals up by two possessions and was the finishing touch on a 28-19 victory.

 Now 1-0 in the Lake Conference, the Royals look to accomplish something that hasn’t been done in the Coach John DenHartog era, beat Wayzata. The Trojans recently lost to Totino Grace 42-14 , the same team the Royals lost to by one point two weeks before.

These 2014 Royals look poised to do something different this season. The team is loaded with talented, un-selfish players who want to be apart of history.