2024 Team Preview: Hopkins Royals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hopkins Royals' have struggled over the last 3 seasons, having lost 27 straight games since 2021, the Royals have gone winless in each of the last 3 seasons. Now, Hopkins enters 2024 in a new era, with the hiring of former Brooklyn Center head coach Chauncy Williams-Barefield. Williams-Barefield took over as the interim head coach for the Centaurs in 2018 before being named the full-time head coach in 2019. Over 5 full seasons as the Centaurs' head coach, Williams-Barefield posted a 17-24 record, including an impressive 5-1 record during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopkins looks to Williams-Barefield to build a strong foundation based around excellence and a winning mindset. for the football team, and the Royals' team that he is inheriting has plenty of young talented recruits who could very much make this rebuild a strong reality heading into 2024. These are the top 7 players from the Hopkins Royals' football team to look out for in 2024!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["945895"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b01eacae0a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='945895' first='Nathan' last='Dobbs'] has had his work cut out for him, and he's been an excellent cornerstone for the Royals' O-line. For the struggles that this offense has had, Dobbs has been extremely consistent with his reps. He plays with firm hands, steady footing, and reads well on his matches. Dobbs boasts excellent size, and uses that to throw down his opponents without any resistance. Dobbs has a good backdrop, and holds his own well against speedy pass-rushers. Dobbs has earned several looks from D2 and D3 schools. Dobbs should remain as a vital piece toward the Royals' rebuild in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["924223"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b01eacae11e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='924223' first='Dylan' last='Caspers'] has been under a lot of heat as he's been starting for the Royals since 2022, and while his record certainly will look unimpressive, Caspers has had moments where he's shined brilliantly. Caspers showed much improvement in his play last season, making less errors from his freshman year, and started to showcase the athletic ability that can be melded into a legitimate star QB. Caspers threw some pretty passes down the middle of the field, showing solid accuracy and good timing in his throws. Caspers is also an excellent scrambler, and will run through defenders for extra yardage. I'm excited to see how Caspers will perform under a new system, and I hope that it will bring the best out of his capabilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1256243"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b01eacae183"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1256243' first='Keane' last='Woolever'] has been one of my favorite players to watch on the Royals' defense. Alternating between both Safety positions, Woolever has showcased fluid skills in both of these roles. Woolever is quick, and in pass-coverage, he does well at reading the QB on where the ball is going and closing the gap of the target window. He also plays well in deep coverage, and it is not easy to go deep down the middle against him. Woolever also plays well against the run, anticipating the play direction, and tackles hard and clean. Woolever deserves props for handling both Safety roles well, and this versatility should come handy to receive much more scholarship options moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mark Gonzales","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hopkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b01eacae26f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mark Gonzales might look like a smaller player on the field, but he plays with ferocity and a quick burst off the snap that makes it hard for the offense to keep him off their noses. Playing at ILB in a 3-4 defense, Gonzales plays well as a designated blitzer, flying through the interior gaps for a TFL or a sack. Gonzales is a slippery player who isn't easy to block, shows good anticipation, and is a solid tackler. Gonzales also has done well on special teams as a fast gunner and a solid blocker on returns. Gonzales' efforts and work-ethic should not be ignored, as he has been an underrated weapon for the Royals' defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tanner Odd","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hopkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b01eacae331"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tanner Odd doesn't seem like a flashy athlete on paper, but he stands out to me as a pure old-school football player. Odd plays well as a deep Safety, he is a solid receiver, he is a good gunner on special teams, he blocks very well for the run-game, and he plays with great instincts against his opponents. Odd plays with a style that I deeply respect, which is one that stays true to the nature and spirit of the sport. His tenacity and versatility should garner him a lot more attention heading into his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sterling Reed","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hopkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b01eacae3f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At his age, Sterling Reed is starting to truly look like an athletic threat coming out of Hopkins. Reed is listed at both TE and Punter for the Royals, and he took several snaps last season at Punter. Reed has a solid leg on special teams, and while he hasn't taken any snaps at TE yet, the position would be perfectly compatible with his size. Reed has been developing into one of the top pitchers in Minnesota and plans to play baseball in the collegiate level. I hope that we get to see more of Reed on the field in 2024, because he could certainly fit as a top recruit in both baseball and football, and he could be integral toward the Royals' return to prominence in the football scene. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1248617"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b01eacae442"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ben Spilde is an interesting name to look after in 2026. Spilde didn't play many snaps during the 2023 season, but when he did, he looked outstanding. Spilde ran several clean routes, and caught a brilliant pass over the middle of the field against Park where he made an impressive vertical leap to catch the ball in the middle seam. Under a new offensive system and new leadership in 2024, Spilde has a great opportunity to emerge as a starting WR this season, and could quickly grow into a stellar pass-catcher to help kickstart the evolution of this Royals' football team in a new era. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->