JaMichael Ellis, senior, is a star running back for the Royals football team.

After rushing for 300 yards and two touchdowns as a junior last year, Ellis has emerged as a leader this season for the Royals. Three games into this season, Ellis already has established himself as one of the top running backs in the state, with five touchdowns.

“My goal for this year is to represent Hopkins in the state championship. It would mean the world to have this group of seniors be the first to deliver Hopkins its first state football championship,” said Ellis.

Ellis hasn’t always played football in the Hopkins school district.

When Ellis was a sophomore, he transferred to Caldwell County High School in Princeton, Kentucky. Seeking a better opportunity to showcase his talents and to be closer to his father, Ellis started three games at Caldwell and rushed for 400 yards and four touchdowns.

Ellis came back to Hopkins the next year to help the football team achieve a 4-4 record in 2014.

“This is where all of my family is. I’ve built a brotherhood here over the years, and I realized I couldn’t stay away for too long. I had to come back and be with the people who made me who I am to this day,” said Ellis.