Hopkins Is Not Afraid to Make Big Decisions

Greg Hopkins does not expect to catch another last-second, game-winning pass for the Avengers this weekend.

But if very recent history is any indication, Hopkins will probably have a hand or two in the decisive moment of Sunday’s game against the Chicago Rush at Chicago.

Hopkins, a 31-year old receiver and linebacker, gave the unbeaten Avengers a 59-53 overtime victory over Denver last Sunday with a game-ending 21-yard touchdown reception.

The previous week, he caught a two-point conversion pass with one second left for a 73-72 victory over defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose.

“I have had other seasons where I’ve started the year and had more catches, more touchdowns and more yards, and been more involved in offense,� Hopkins said after practice earlier this week. “This year, I’ve had two plays that have gotten me more noticed.�

Hopkins, in his eighth AFL season, does not lack for exposure in the league. Last season, his first with the Avengers, the former Slippery Rock standout caught 102 passes for 1,285 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also returned three of five interceptions for touchdowns and was named Ironman of the Year, the league’s highest honor.

That came as no surprise to Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss, who was Hopkins’ receiver coach and offensive coordinator at Albany and Indiana for five seasons before he was hired by the Avengers in October 2001. Two months later, at Hodgkiss’ urging, the Avengers signed Hopkins as a free agent.

“He leads mainly with his intensity and work ethic,� Hodgkiss said. “He takes meticulous notes during meetings, watches film every day and his off-season conditioning is the best I have heard of by anyone in the NFL or the Arena league.�

Offensive specialist Chris Jackson said teammates leaned on Hopkins last season while learning Hodgkiss’ system. The Avengers finished the regular season with an 8-6 record and made the playoffs for the first time.

“He was a big help in helping us understand things, like the way routes were supposed to be run,� Jackson said. “He also takes the game, and preparing for it, very seriously. We learned from that, and players are catching up to him this year as far as maturity [is concerned].

“He doesn’t have to lead as much. I think he’s having a lot more fun.�

Hopkins, who has 16 receptions for 232 yards and four touchdowns, said he has played on other AFL teams that began the season 3-0.

“It’s a great way to start, but sometimes it gives you a false sense of security,� he said. “Last week, for example, that game probably shouldn’t have come down to the final play.

“But if it happens again, I guess I’ll be ready.�

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The Avengers are one of four unbeaten teams in the AFL. Indiana and Grand Rapids are 3-0 and Orlando is 4-0.

No team in the AFL’s 16-year history has finished unbeaten in the regular season.

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Chicago features two former Los Angeles-area high school standouts, offensive specialist Antonio Chatman and wide receiver-defensive back Dameon Porter.

Chatman, who graduated from Dorsey High in 1997 and played at El Camino College and the University of Cincinnati, was the runner-up for the league’s rookie-of-the-year award last season when he scored 23 touchdowns.

Chatman has 27 receptions for 328 yards this season, but only one touchdown.

Porter, a 1993 graduate of Crenshaw, was the league’s Ironman award winner in 2001 and has led the league in interceptions two years in a row.

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The game will be televised regionally on NBC at noon.... A victory would give the Avengers a four-game winning streak for the first time in franchise history.