Sports
Ryan Hopkins helps JSerra improve to 4-0 with victory over San Diego Lincoln
Quarterback Ryan Hopkins, looking like a sprinter in track and field, kept choosing his moments to leave the pocket on Friday night to unleash his speed and moves that left San Diego Lincoln players unable to catch him.
The junior from JSerra broke loose for touchdown runs of 61 and 34 yards in the first half at Southwestern College. He also had a 29-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Brown and fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brett DeBergh in the third quarter of a 28-19 victory over the No. 1 team in the San Diego Section.
That’s four times this season Hopkins has scored touchdowns on runs of 20 yards or longer.
“It really helped me,” he said of his spring track workouts.
Don’t ever say running track is a waste of time for football players. Hopkins ran a 10.97-second 100 meters and was a member of the school-record setting 400-meter relay team. All that speed is now being displayed on Friday nights for the unbeaten Lions (4-0).
“He’s been training so hard for this season and this moment,” coach Victor Santa Cruz said.
JSerra struggled to a 21-13 halftime lead. The Lions’ offensive line was called for four holding penalties, twice taking away potential first-down opportunities and stalling drives. Lincoln running back Aden Jackson gained 88 of his game-high 140 yards rushing in the first half and had a two-yard touchdown run.
There were lots of things that JSerra will need to clean up before Trinity League play begins next month, but the Lions do have standout linebacker Madden Faraimo, who contributed at least 10 solo tackles, starting with the second play from scrimmage when he wrapped up Lincoln running back Donald Reed and pushed him back 10 yards before sending him to the turf.
“I would not like it if Madden was on the other team,” Hopkins said.
Faraimo, 6 feet 3 and 230 pounds, is being recruited by USC, Notre Dame, Texas and Washington.
JSerra’s offensive line was called for five holding penalties overall and gave up four sacks.
“We’ve got to grow,” Santa Cruz told his team.
The Lions, off to their best start since the 2018 season, will face Damien (3-1) next week.
“You want to have good learning lessons now because everything in the Trinity League has to go right,” Santa Cruz said.
Brett DeBergh of JSerra makes a leaping touchdown grab in the second half against San Diego Lincoln.
(Craig Weston)
Hopkins finished with 117 yards passing and 113 yards rushing.
Quarterback Akili Smith Jr. of Lincoln passed for 141 yards and ran for 43 yards.
“I think we can learn a lot,” Hopkins said. “Some penalties we can eliminate.”
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If the Super Bowl marks the end of the NFL season, WrestleMania is when WWE’s year is over.
There is no offseason in WWE, and when waves of departures hit the company, it hits harder than a Gunther knife-edge chop.
Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross appear during SmackDown at First Horizon Center in Savannah, Ga., on May 23, 2025. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Fightful and BodySlam both reported several superstars who left WWE on Friday ahead of “Friday Night SmackDown.” Some wrestlers confirmed their departures on social media.
Those who left included: Alba Fyre, Aleister Black, Alex Shelley, Andre Chase, Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas, Chris Island, Chris Sabin, Dante Chen, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Kairi Sane, Luca Crusifino, Malik Blade, Nikki Cross, Santos Escobar, Sirena Linton, Trill London, Tyra Mae Steele, Tyriek Igwe, Tyson Dupont, Zelina Vegas and Zoey Stark.
The WWE roster is loaded as it is with several NXT stars getting called up this week.
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Sol Ruca made her presence felt on Raw on Monday when she challenged women’s champion Liv Morgan. The Fatal Influence faction of Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley took aim at the women’s tag team division on SmackDown on Friday. Ricky Saints and Blake Monroe also had vignettes for their upcoming appearances.
Meanwhile, former NXT champion Oba Femi has been on main WWE programming for the last few weeks and beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.
Kairi Sane enters the ring during Monday Night RAW at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on April 13, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega make their way to the ring during SmackDown at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
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It’s not the end of the road for any of the recent departures. Several former WWE stars have made waves elsewhere. Some have even returned over the course of time.
Pitching coach Gus Rico was having dinner on Thursday when head coach Matt Mowry of Birmingham High complimented him on closer Aidan Martinez recording all seven of his outs on strikeouts.
“I had no idea,” Rico said. “Everything is a blur when I’m calling pitches.”
Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He touched 92 mph with his fastball and has been improving each week, getting better command and walking fewer batters. He has 28 strikeouts in 15 innings and three saves.
Birmingham is one game behind El Camino Real in the West Valley League standings going into showdown week, playing El Camino Real on Wednesday at on the road and Friday at home. The Patriots need a sweep to have a chance at their first league title under Mowry, who prefers winning City titles.
With Martinez throwing so well, it would be a good strategy for opposing teams to make sure they are leading going into the last two innings.
“He’s got a bright future,” Rico said.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program’s first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. walks on the court against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)
After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson “The Enforcer” and “Junkyard Dog,” a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after scoring in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the 2026 NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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