FOOTBALL: Titan-tough bond: Hopkins, Morgan share special relationship

Published 7:15 pm Thursday, October 25, 2018

When Memorial starting defensive back and third-string running back JaVontae’ Hopkins was ejected during the Titans’ 38-21 loss to New Caney, Hopkins said he felt like he let his team and his coach down.

“After I got put out of the game, I couldn’t do anything,” Hopkins said. “I couldn’t help them. I couldn’t do nothing except sit on the sidelines. Not helping my team, that really hurt me the most.”

Hopkins said the talk he and Morgan had Memorial head coach Brian Morgan had after the ejection was a wakeup call.

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“He’s a guy that has a really good personality,” Morgan said of Hopkins. “He’s matured a lot of over a couple of years. He used to be a guy that had a lot of play in him. Sometimes too much play.”

Morgan said the key to helping Hopkins mature has been the communication between the two.

“We have a very real relationship,” Morgan said. “When I text him, it’s a very honest text relationship. I make sure he’s awake and make sure he’s where he’s supposed to be on time. He’s improved on that a ton in the past year. It’s something that has given him a little bit of guidance and structure, because we do know he has a chance to be a special player.”

Hopkins said he stays in constant contact with Morgan texting and calling him frequently.

“We text and call each other on and off every other day,” Hopkins said. “If it wasn’t for football, we would still be texting and communicating.”

Hopkins has been one of the Titans’ (6-1, 3-1 in District 9-5A Division I) biggest play makers on both sides of the ball, recording two 100-yard interception returns in the past three games along with helping with the run game.

“He’s made some highlight-reel plays,” Morgan said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to see him this year and through the spring. We expect a certain effort out of him and he’s lived up to that. We expect that from him the rest of the year.”

Hopkins said his only goal for the year is a team goal.

“I want to go to the state championship — and win it,” he said. “That’s the only thing I want to do. The year is going to be good after that.”

Before the team makes a playoff run, they have face the Kingwood Park Panthers (4-3, 3-1 in 9-5A-I) Saturday.

Morgan said playing on Saturday can present some challenges to the routine of students who are used to having that day off.

“A lot of times guys want to stay in bed on Saturdays,” Morgan said. “They’re used to Friday being routine. They get up around the same time. They get breakfast and are in class and get the blood flowing throughout the day and get lunch. It’s normalcy for the guys. We’re just trying to make sure we get those guys up and get food in them.”

The Titans have played against some the district’s top offenses this year in New Caney (No.1 overall and rushing offense) and Porter (No. 3 overall on No. 1 passing offense. The Titans beat Porter 48-20 Friday and bring in the district’s top defense. Kingwood Park has the district’s second-ranked offense and provide a more balanced attack.

“(Kingwood Park) does a good job of (run-pass options),” Morgan said. “They run the ball well with some option stuff. The quarterback runs the ball pretty well and they have a couple of receivers that can run a little bit.”

Hopkins said the Titans defense is confident in their ability to execute.

“Game plan don’t change,” Hopkins said. “It’s like with everybody else, we feel like everybody else has the same thing as them. We feel like we’re going to play them the same.”

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Turner Stadium in Humble on Saturday.

Chris Moore: 721-2427. Twitter: @Chris_Moore09