Hopkins scores 2 TDs in Vulcans’ win over Lock Haven
Omari Hopkins only had four receptions for 31 yards, but the California senior made them count in the Vulcans' 27-20 victory over Lock Haven on Saturday afternoon at Hubert Jack Stadium in nonconference play.
Hopkins' 6-yard touchdown reception from Davis Black with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter provided California (2-1) with a 27-17 lead. He also caught a 10-yard pass from Black for the score with 10 seconds left in the first half to tie the game at 17.
The Bald Eagles (1-2) got within one score on Tony NiCassio's 26-yard field goal with 37 seconds remaining and recovered the ensuing kickoff after the Vulcans muffed the return but California's defense held and sacked Jackson Ostrowsky on second and third down before an incomplete pass on fourth-and-21 allowed the Vulcans to run out the clock.
California opened the scoring with 10:47 left in the first quarter when D'Avay Johnson scored on an 83-yard touchdown reception from Black and the Vulcans led 7-0 after Anthony Beitko made the first of three PATs. Johnson caught two passes for 98 yards.
Lock Haven responded with a touchdown of its own when T'iar Young took a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ostrowsky into the end zone with 8:42 left in the first period and a tie game after NiCassio made the first of two extra points. Young led the contest in receiving after pulling in 8 receptions for 153 yards.
NiCassio's 27-yard field goal with 4:32 remaining in the opening frame gave the Bald Eagles a 10-7 advantage before Beitko tied the game on a 37-yarder at 14:09 of the second quarter.
Lock Haven's Quon Williams made his lone reception a memorable one, as he crossed the goal line on a 22-yarder from Ostrowsky with 12:09 left in the second before Hopkins' heroics sent the Vulcans into the locker room on a high note.
Beitko's 35-yard field goal with 11:06 remaining provided the visitors with a 20-17 lead.
California's defense held the Bald Eagles' rushing attack to negative yards (-1).
Black was 14 of 24 for 202 yards and no interceptions. Bobby Boyd Jr. rushed for 84 yards on 18 carries.
Ostrowsky was 24 of 45 for 346 yards and one interception. Teammate Nino Cinti caught 6 passes for 107 yards.
The Vulcans have their home and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West opener next week with Gannon (0-3) coming to town. The kickoff is scheduled for noon at Adamson Stadium.
