Page 10 Fall Football Preview • Thursday, August 27, 2026 sailor. mnsun. com
HOPKINS ROYALS
Seeking an encore after 2025
JOHN SHERMAN john. sherman @ apgecm. com
Hopkins High football came back in a big way last fall with its first championship in almost 30 years.
The Royals went through Class 6A’ s Maroon Division with four straight wins to claim the title.
Graduation losses from last season included Division I wide receiver Jayden Moore, running back Desmond Moody and line leader Charlie Pollen.
An unexpected loss came this summer when one of last season’ s captains, Cordell Givance, decided to change schools.
Addressing the graduations and the loss of Givance, Hopkins head coach Chauncy Williams-Barefield said,“ When you lose a player, you have to adjust with Next Man Up. We wish Cordell the best. In the last two years, he did some great things for us.”
The most significant returnee for Hopkins is Tre Moore, who was an All-Maroon District quarterback last fall. The brother of Jayden Moore, Tre enjoyed his own stardom last season, passing for 1,556 yards and 15 touchdowns. In addition, he rushed for 522 yards on 106 carries and caught one pass for 26 yards.
“ I look for another good season from Tre,” coach Williams-Barefield said.“ He can really spin the ball and I see him stepping into more of a leadership role this year. Without Jayden, we will have to
( SUN PHOTO BY JOHN SHERMAN)
Hopkins football captains for 2026 are, from left to right: Andre Naranjo-Rivera, Will Johnston and Ben Johnston.
spread the ball around to more receivers.”
Understandably, since Jayden had 41 catches for 689 yards and nine touchdowns last season. The only other receiver with double-figure catches was graduated end Ben Spilde with 25.
Coach Williams-Barefield is looking for a good running attack to supplement Tre Moore’ s passing. Demetrius Wleh rushed for 219 yards last season and expected to increase that total with more carries in his junior year. Andre Ingram is a senior running back with potential.
“ We will need a lot of players to step from reserve roles last year to the forefront this season,” coach Williams-Barefield said.“ I have confidence in our ability to prepare.”
The three captains for 2026 are middle linebacker Andre Naranjo-Rivera and the Johnston twins – Will who returns as a starting defensive end, and Ben, who moves from a reserve role to a starting role in the offensive line.
“ The Johnstons have been in Hopkins K-12 and came up through the youth program,” coach Williams-Barefield said.“ The are super hard workers. Will is our punter and Ben is his long snapper.”
Wleh is the top returning defensive player for Hopkins, coming off a 2025 season in which he had 21 solo tackles and 21 assists for a total of 42. He showed some tenacity in getting to opposing quarterbacks with a team-leading four sacks.
Hopkins will play four games in the Metro Maroon Division and four games against other opponents – among them defending state Class 6A champion Edina in the season opener Thursday, Sept. 3.
“ The thought of playing Edina gets me fired up,” Will Johnston said.“ Almost every team in Minnesota would love to beat Edina. They lost a lot of good players and so did we. Edina has very good players in the trenches.”
Woodbury, East Ridge and St. Michael-Albertville are Hopkins’ other three opponents from outside of the Metro Maroon District.
QUICK HITS
Head Coach
Chauncy Williams-Barefield Third Season
Last Year’ s Record: 4-5
Key Returning Players
Super athletic junior quarterback Tre Moore is in his third season as the Royals’ starter. In his freshman season, he led Hopkins to a 3-6 season and last year he brought the team even closer to the. 500 mark at 4-5. In his career with Hopkins, Tre has been on the varsity basketball team for three years and has run for the varsity track team.
He passed for 1,556 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior and rushed for more than 500 yards. In his freshman season, Tre burst onto the scene with 1,438 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. He has his sights on school passing totals.
Demetrius Wleh led the Hopkins defense with 42 tackles, including four sacks, in 2025. He also has an offensive role as a running back. Another key defensive player at linebacker is Andre Naranjo-Rivera.
The Royals have twin senior captains with Will and Ben Johnston. Will is primarily a defensive end and Ben is primarily an offensive lineman.
Schedule
Sept. 3: At Edina Sept. 10: East Ridge Sept. 18: At Woodbury Sept. 25: At Park of Cottage Grove Oct. 2: Roseville Oct. 9: At Eastview Oct. 14: Coon Rapids Oct. 23: St. Michael-Albertville
Game times 7 p. m. unless otherwise noted