Berkland and Shoap Lead Offensive Explosion
The Wayzata Trojans wasted no time asserting their dominance, racing past the Hopkins Royals 55-6 in a game that felt more like a track meet than a football game. Setting the tone right away, Sam Booh scored on Wayzata’s very first offensive play from scrimmage, a sweep left that capitalized on the wide receiver’s blazing speed, giving the Trojans the momentum they would ride all night.
On the ground, Caden Wong was a battering ram of a running back, breaking through tackles and powering his way for tough yards, including a touchdown. His physical running complemented Wayzata’s balanced attack, keeping Hopkins on their heels all game.
Tony Ley caught two touchdowns on the evening as well, showcasing the Trojan aerial attack.
Smothering Defense
Wayzata’s defense was equally impressive, imposing their will on the Hopkins offense from the opening snap. The Trojans played a disciplined and aggressive style, swarming to the ball and shutting down both the passing and rushing lanes. Every time Hopkins tried to gain momentum, they were met with resistance.
The Royals struggled to find any openings, as Wayzata’s defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage, making it nearly impossible for Hopkins to establish their running game. The Trojans’ linebackers were flying around, filling gaps and making key tackles behind the line. On passing downs, Wayzata’s secondary provided blanket coverage, allowing no space for Hopkins’ receivers to operate.
Two key interceptions showcased the Trojans’ opportunistic defense. Jake Hotavec made a great interception, jumping up in the air to catch a tipped pass by none other than Wayzata senior lineman Kemarian Prowell.
Tyler Schulman later added another interception, courtesy of a tipped Royals pass by Wayzata senior outside linebacker Kaden Karssen.
The relentless pressure from the defensive line, combined with excellent coverage and smart, aggressive play from the secondary, left the Royals unable to get anything going. Hopkins’ offense was suffocated, and by the time they managed to score, the game had long been out of reach. Wayzata’s defense was as dominant as their offense, making this a complete team victory.
Quarterback Duo in Command
Berkland threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another, showing why he’s a key playmaker for Wayzata. Shoap, sharing duties under center, kept the offense moving with precision, and both quarterbacks worked seamlessly to keep Hopkins on their heels. Their chemistry and leadership have been a driving force for the Trojans all season.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
- Trojans 7, Royals 0: Sam Booh set the tone immediately, sprinting 35 yards on a sweep left on Wayzata’s first play from scrimmage for a touchdown.
- Trojans 14, Royals 0: Caden Wong bulldozed his way into the end zone from 3 yards out, putting Wayzata Football firmly in control midway through the quarter.
- Trojans 21, Royals 0: Matthew Berkland hit Tony Ley on a sharp 23-yard slant pass for the Trojans’ third touchdown of the quarter.
2nd Quarter:
- Trojans 28, Royals 0: Berkland connected with Ley again, this time for a 27-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead.
- Trojans 35, Royals 0: Berkland showed off his legs, breaking free on a 10-yard designed run for his second touchdown of the game.
3rd Quarter:
- Trojans 42, Royals 0: Berkland added another rushing touchdown, this time from 4 yards out to open the second half.
- Trojans 48, Royals 0: Zander Harrell found the end zone on a 7-yard rushing touchdown to continue the onslaught.
4th Quarter:
- Royals 48, Trojans 6: Hopkins finally got on the board when D. Moody punched in a 2-yard touchdown, their lone score of the game.
- Trojans 55, Royals 6: Wayzata wasn’t done yet. Backup quarterback Kai Wessman delivered the final blow with a 49-yard touchdown run on a one-play drive, capping off the dominant performance.
With Berkland and Shoap guiding the offense and the defense locking down Hopkins, Wayzata delivered a commanding performance that left no doubt about their dominance. Both the offensive firepower and defensive intensity made it a complete team effort in this runaway win.
Wayzata Football moves to 3-4 on the season, and will travel to face the Anoka Tornadoes (5-2) who beat Osseo 55-19 last night.
