San Diego High School Player of the Week : Hopkins Doesn’t Let His Schedule Slow Him Down

Marcus Hopkins has been arriving at Lincoln High School football practices a little late this semester.

Hopkins, a senior, is taking a full schedule to prepare for college, and his sixth-period physics class lets out a few minutes after practice starts.

Coach Vic Player doesn’t seem to mind. The time missed hasn’t seemed to bother Hopkins.

Hopkins carried the ball 13 times Friday for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns in Lincoln’s 62-16 victory over Patrick Henry.

“He is usually a little late to practice,” Player said, “but that is no problem. His academics are outstanding; he has a cumulative 3.5 GPA at Lincoln.”

And for the second straight week, Hopkins’ numbers on the field have been as impressive as his classroom statistics.

Two weeks ago against Point Loma, Hopkins, who also runs the 100 and 200 meters on Lincoln’s track and field team, rushed for 230 yards and a touchdown in 14 carries.

During a first-half series against Patrick Henry, Hopkins rushed for 17, 34 and 31 yards, the last carry going for a touchdown.

“He was a dancer,” Player said. “He has tremendous balance. He set up the blocks he got and didn’t let down.”

Hopkins said a new attitude has helped him this season.

“Now, as a senior, I feel more aggressive,” he said. “I want to hit somebody hard. I feel a lot more confident when I am a little tired and don’t have to think too much about what I have to do, or where I have to run.

“I’ve studied (Eric Dickerson) a lot and people say I run a lot like him, with my knees high in the air. I am quicker that way because I can cover a lot of ground.”

Hopkins gained 76 yards in 4 carries in his first game this season against Wilson of San Francisco. The first time he carried the ball, he ran 23 yards for a touchdown. Against O’Dea of Seattle in the second game, he was used as a flanker and caught one pass for five yards.

Then Player decided not to pass as much and told Hopkins he would be getting the ball.

“When (Player) told me I would be getting the ball, I felt great,” Hopkins said. “It’s not too hard for me to get pumped up for any game, whether it’s Patrick Henry or cross-town rival Morse. I didn’t feel like Superman last week, just felt confident.”

Marcus Hopkins

Lincoln High School

Position: Tailback/Strong Safety.

Height, Weight, Class: 6-1, 185, Senior.

Last Week: Rushed 13 times for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns in Lincoln’s 62-16 victory over Patrick Henry.