EDWARDSBURG — The Edwardsburg Eddies’ 2011 football campaign kicked off Friday night with an impressive 15-9 win over their non-conference opponent Hopkins.

The Edwardsburg defense starred in its first outing by limiting the Vikings’ offense to less than 200 yards total for the game.

“The defense definitely stepped up big tonight and really brought down the hammer,” said Edwardsburg coach Kevin Bartz.

The Eddies’ defense forced three turnovers. They had interceptions from both senior Col Hunsberger and junior Caleb Neff. Edwardsburg also got a fumble recovery from senior Dominic Razzano.

Hopkins coach Cody Francis believed the turnover ratio was just too much for his team to overcome.

“We just lost the turnover battle. We could’ve played a lot better,” Francis said.

Hopkins was the first team to get on the scoreboard early in the first quarter when the Eddies fumbled the ball on a botched handoff and recovered it in their own end zone for a safety. After that, it was all orange and blue.

Edwardsburg capitalized on a Hopkins’ turnover when junior quarterback Jason Schimpa connected with senior Tyler Hack for a touchdown from three yards out to take the lead 6-2. The Eddies scored again when the defense forced a Hopkins safety.

Senior Jesse Mays showcased the big play capability of the Eddies’ Wing-T offense when he ripped off a 54-yard touchdown run giving the Eddies a 15-2 lead late in the second.

“The O-line was huge for us this evening. Our fourth string QB played the entire game and he was hardly pressured,” Bartz said.

Hopkins senior Dylan Williams finished off the evening’s scoring with a 5-yard run with about a minute left in the game.

Edwardsburg’s offense racked up 203 yards and one touchdown on the ground and added three yards and a touchdown through the air. Mays led the way for the Eddies with 96 yards and a score on 12 rushing attempts.

Williams was the lead rusher for Hopkins running for 95 yards and a touchdown on 19 rushing attempts.

Hopkins quarterback Mitchell Palvak went 3-of-8 for 52 yards passing with two interceptions and the Eddies’ Schimpa went 1-for-2 for three yards passing and a score. Senior Sawyer Reynolds contributed 10 tackles for the Eddie defense.

After the game the Hopkins head coach was very quick to compliment the Eddies coaching staff.

“That is a very well coached program they have over there,” he said.

The Eddies next face Immaculate Conception from Elmhurst, Ill. at home Saturday Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Hopkins 2 0 0 7 – 9

Edwardsburg 0 15 0 0 – 15

H – Safety, fumble in end zone

E – Safety, fumble in end zone

E – Tyler Hack 3 pass from Jason Schimpa (kick failed)

E – Jessie Mays 54 run (Austin Teter kick)

H – Dylan Williams 5 run (Keara Kilbine kick)