Hope Players Participate in Allstar Football Game (1/16/12)
Two Hope football players were among three student-athletes from the MIAA who competed recently in the Hansen Bowl All-Star Game in Virginia Beach, Va. Hope offensive linemen Josh Droppers (54) of Kalamazoo (Portage Northern HS) and Alex Doman (69) of Royal Oak (Brother Rice HS) and Adrian linebacker Bryan Garbarino (35) played for the River Boat All-Stars in the Jan. 16 contest, in which they defeated the Pony Express All-Stars, 14-9. The Hansen Bowl is an all-star game featuring players from NCAA Division II and III schools, as well as from NAIA. It is named in honor of the memory of Don Hansen, a longtime advocate of small college football who died in 2010. The game was previously known as the Aztec Bowl.

Two Seniors Headed to Post-Season Bowl Game (12/28/11)
History of Hope Players in Bowl Games
Seniors Alex Doman of Royal Oak (Brother Rice HS) and Josh Droppers of Kalamazoo (Portage Northern HS) have been selected to play in the Hansen Senior Bowl on Monday, Jan. 16, at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, Virginia Beach, Va.

The Hansen Senior Bowl is an allstar game for players at all levels below Division I FCS. It is named in honor of the memory of Don Hansen, a longtime advocate of small college football who died in 2010. The Bowl was previously known as the Aztec Bowl.

Both offensive linemen, Doman (a guard) and Droppers (a tackle) were instrumental in leading the 2011 Flying Dutchmen to a 7-3 season record and second place finish in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The 6-3, 285 pound Droppers was named an All-MIAA first team honoree for a third straight year while the 6-1, 280 pound Doman received All-MIAA second team recognition.

"Josh is as good as any lineman, no make that any player that I have coached," Hope head coach Dean Kreps told the Grand Rapids Press. "He has a total understanding of our offense and knows what all 11 players do on every play, receiver routes included. He is a true student of the game as well as being a very physical player and truly was like a coach on the field for us."

Kreps also had high praise for Doman noting "he took almost every snap this season at left guard after playing right guard last year. He is an explosive blocker and loves to pull and trap. We had great success with our counter game this year and we usually ran it to the right side, which gets Alex and Josh pulling to thr right side. Alex would trap and Josh would pull us through the hole."

Hope has a long history of sending players to post-season bowl games dating back to the 1959 season. In the late 1990s and early 2000s the Flying Dutchmen sent five players to the Aztec Bowl.

Artificial Turf Coming to Holland Municipal Stadium (12/19/11)
Holland Municipal Stadium, the home of Hope College Flying Dutchmen football since 1979, could soon have a new playing surface. The Holland City Council has taken the next step that could lead to the installation of synthetic turf at the stadium in time for the next (2012) season.

City of Holland officials and representatives from Hope College and Holland Public Schools are working on an agreement that would create a joint partnership for developing a stadium facility of greater quality as well as a long-term management plan. Formation of the formal partnership is in process.

Holland City Council action on December 14 authorized seeking proposals for the design and engineering costs that would lead to the synthetic turf installation.

The Flying Dutchmen have played their home football games at city-owned facilities for many decades. Hope called Riverview Park (now a recreation area near FreedomVillage) their home from 1932-78.

The Flying Dutchmen moved to the newly constructed Holland Municipal Stadium, which is south of the college's outdoor athletic complex, in 1979. The lighted stadium seats more than 5,000 fans. It is shared with the Holland High School football team. Because of the amount of use by the two programs, the natural grass surface has frequently deteriorated over the course of the season.

"Our kids love playing at Holland Municipal Stadium," said coach Dean Kreps. "The change in surfaces will enhance their playing experiences."

The Flying Dutchmen have a 33-year record of 89-56-3 at Holland Municipal Stadium, including a 4-1 mark this past season.

Just east of Holland Municipal Stadium, construction is underway on a new college-owned 12-court outdoor tennis stadium. The complex will provide Hope athletes with a site they have needed for years and will serve community tennis enthusiasts. It is scheduled for completion next summer.

2001 Football Honors are Announced (12/12/11)
Honors to Hope College football players for the 2011 season have been announced by coach Dean Kreps.

Sophomore tailback Shawn Jackson of Comstock Park (Comstock Park HS) has been named the outstanding offensive player while senior back Kyle Warren of Grandville (Unity Christian HS) was presented the outstanding defensive player award.

The Allen Kinney award was presented to senior offensive tackle Josh Droppers of Kalamazoo (Portage Northern HS). Presented annually since 1971 by the football coaching staff to a senior player for maximum contribution to the football program, award is named in memory of Allen Kinney, a member of the Hope College football team who died of cancer in his senior year in 1967. Josh Droppers' older brother, Jacob (Jake), was the recipient of the Kinney award in 2007.

Hope Football Part of MIAA/NAC Challenge Beginning in '12 (11/23/11)
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) have announced they will launch a "Challenge Series" in football that will pit member schools from the two conferences against each other, beginning with the 2012 season.

The two NCAA Division III conferences have signed a four-year agreement in which home sites will alternate each year between NAC schools and MIAA schools. In the 2012 season, NAC schools will host the Challenge Series matchups, while MIAA institutions will host the 2013 matchups.

Matchups for the series in 2012 will be determined based on each school's finish in the previous year's conference standings. The Flying Dutchmen, who were runnersup in the MIAA standings, will place at NAC co-champion Concordia-Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. continue

Interception Return is DIII Play of the Week (11/17/11)
Watch Record Interception Return on YouTube
The record 100-yard return with an intercepted pass last Saturday by sophomore Santino DiCesare has been named the NCAA Division III football play of the week by the website D3football.com. It marked the second time in Hope history that an intercepted pass was returned the full length of the football field for a touchdown. The first time was in 1996 by Randy Ames against Adrian.

All-MIAA Honors Presented to Seven Hope Football Players (11/14/11)
Seven members of the Hope football team have been named to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) all-conference teams by the league's coaches.

Receiving first team honors are senior offensive tackle Josh Droppers of Kalamazoo (Portage Northern HS), senior defensive lineman Dan Karam of Grosse Point Woods (De La Salle HS), sophomore linebacker Tim Klaus of Saugatuck (Saugatuck HS), and senior defensive back Kyle Warren of Grandville (Hudsonville University Christian HS). Droppers and Warren are each being honored for a third consecutive year while Karam and Klaus are first-time honorees.

Receiving second team honors are sophomore tailback Shawn Jackson of Comstock Park (Comstock Park HS), senior offensive guard Alex Doman of Royal Oak (Birmingham Brother Rice HS), and senior linebacker Nate Jazwinski of Middleville (Thornapple Kellogg HS).

The Flying Dutchmen, coached by Dean Kreps, finished second in the MIAA race with a 5-1 conference record and were 7-3 overall, the team's best mark since the 2001 season.

Flying Dutchmen Win Season Finale (11/12/11)
Stats
A school-record touchdown dash with an intercepted pass put the exclamation point on a comeback season as the Flying Dutchmen defeated Olivet 27-7 on Saturday. Sophomore Santino DiCesare picked off an Olivet pass at the back of the Hope end zone and returned it all 108 yards for a touchdown. It goes into the record book as a 100-yard interception return and ties the school mark first set by Randy Ames in 1996 against Adrian.

Coach Dean Kreps' Dutchmen finish with a 7-3 record, Hope's best mark since going 7-2 in 2001. The Flying Dutchmen finish in sole possession of second place in the MIAA behind champion Albion.

DiCesare's third quarter touchdown dash broke open a close game. The Flying Dutchmen led 7-0 at halftime behind fullback Brian Lynn's two-yard touchdown run. Hope add two more second half, first on nine-yard run by Shawn Jackson and the other on a five-yard dash by Fluarry Jackson. Shawn Jackson rushed for 154 yards on 16 carries.

Flying Dutchmen Win Overtime Thriller (11/5/11)
Hope 24, Adrian 21 (ot)
The Flying Dutchmen continued their comeback season with a thrilling 24-21 overtime victory over visiting Adrian on Saturday. Coach Dean Kreps' Dutchmen stayed in the thick of the MIAA race with a 4-1 record heading into next Saturday's season finale at Olivet. The team's 6-3 overall record promises Hope its best record since 2007.

Victory didn't come easy. Hope was cruising with a 21-0 lead after three quarters, but Adrian scored three touchdowns in the fourth creating a 21-21 tie and forcing the seventh overtime in school history. Adrian had the first shot in OT, but missed a 31-yard field goal giving Hope a shot at victory. Faced with a fourth down inside the Adrian five-yard line, the Dutchmen turned to kicker Evan Finch who split the upright with a 20-yard field goal. It was his third field goal of the game and the sixth in eight tries this season. Hope's touchdowns were scored by Chris Schmelz on a 27-yard pass from Michael Atwell and a 2-yard rush by Shawn Jackson.

Flying Dutchmen Defeat Defending Champion Thunder (10/22/11)
Stats
The Flying Dutchmen used a second half comeback to gain a 28-23 victory over defending MIAA champion Trine on Saturday. Coach Dean Kreps' Flying Dutchmen move into third place in the MIAA standings with a 3-1 record and are 5-3 overall heading into their bye week next Saturday.

Trine broke a 14-14 tie early in the third quarter with a field goal. The Flying Dutchmen answered with two fourth quarter touchdowns. Fluarry Jackson scored his second touchdown of the day on a one-yard run and sophomore quarterback Michael Atwell threw his second touchdown pass of the game, a 16-yard strike to Connor Parcell for his first collegiate TD. Atwell earlier threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Jackson. Evan Finch was a perfect four-for-four on PATs.

Atwell completed 12-of-24 passes for 244 yards. Chris Schmeltz caught four passes for 96 yards and Shawn Jackson rushed for 70 yards on 14 carries.

Win Streak Snapped in Homecoming Loss (10/15/11)
Box Score
The Flying Dutchmen were unable to generate a consistent offense in suffering a 12-3 homecoming loss to Albion on Saturday. The setback snapped a three-game winning streak as coach Dean Kreps' Dutchmen slipped to 2-1 in the MIAA and 4-2 overall. Hope led 3-0 at halftime behind Evan Finch's 32-yard field goal. Albion scored on its first two possessions of the second half. The Flying Dutchmen were held to six first downs, had a negative three yards rushing and a total offense of 147 yards. Senior defensive back Kyle Warren was credited with 21 tackles on 88 Albion offensive plays. Hope, meanwhile, had just 51 offensive plays.

Flying Dutchmen Keep Wooden Shoes With Rivalry Win (10/8/11)
Box Score
Hometown Day's victory sweep ended at Holland Municipal Stadium where the Flying Dutchmen remained undefeated in the MIAA football race behind a 22-16 victory over Kalamazoo. Nearly 3,500 fans saw coach Dean Kreps' Dutchmen improve to 2-0 in league games and 4-2 overall behind their third straight victory. Hope scored all of its points in the second quarter and then relied on outstanding defense in the second half to record the team's 16th straight win over their "Wooden Shoes" rival. Scoring touchdowns were Fluarry Jackson of Norton Shores (5 yard run), Shawn Jackson of Comstock Park (5 yard run) and Chris Schmelz of Chelsea (33 yard pass from Michael Atwell). Shawn Jackson rushed for over 100 yards for the third consecutive game gaining 119 yards on 30 carries. Atwell (Geneseo, Ill.) completed a season-best 19-of-22 passes for 239 yards. Nine players caught a pass led by Luke Peterson with five for 67 yards. Sophomore linebacker Greg Bird (Byron Center) spent alot of time in the Kalamazoo backfield gaining three quarterback sacks and three others for lost yardage.

Flying Dutchmen Open League Play With Victory (10/1/11)
Stats
Sophomore tailback Shawn Jackson scored four touchdowns as the Flying Dutchmen opened conference play with a 38-15 road victory over Alma. Coach Dean Kreps' Dutchmen improved to 3-2 on the season. Hope led 10-0 at halftime and expanded it to 31-0 after three quarters. Jackson, who has scored seven touchdowns in the last two games, rushed for 156 yards on 27 carries. His touchdowns came on runs of 8, 40, 20 and 35 yards. Freshman tailback Fluarry Jackson scored on a two-yard run. Placekicker Evan Finch was a perfect 5-for-5 on PATs and he added a 28 yard field goal. Hope took advantage of four Alma turnovers. Intercepting passes were Mark Karam and Kurt Burmeister while recovering fumbles were Nate Jazwinski and Karam.

Flying Dutchmen Even Season Record With Road Victory (9/24/11)
Stats
The Flying Dutchmen will enter conference play with a .500 record after defeating Lakeland, Wisc. on the road Saturday. Coach Dean Kreps Dutchmen improved to 2-2. Hope needed a second half comeback. The Flying Dutchmen trailed 14-7 at halftime, but responded with three unanswered touchdowns in the second half. Sophomore tailback Shawn Jackson carried the offensive load for the Flying Dutchmen scoring three touchdowns, one on a 9-yard pass reception and two on rushes of 35 and 53 yards. He gained 151 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Michael Atwell threw the touchdown passes and rushed for another on a one-yard plunge. Kicker Evan Finch was 4-for-4 on PATS. Kyle Warren led the defense with 16 tackles, 10 of them solos. He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Hope opens league play at Alma next Saturday.

Turnovers Costly as Flying Dutchmen Bow to Millikin (9/17/11)
Box Score
Five turnovers -- three of them leading to opponent touchdowns -- proved costly as the Flying Dutchmen bowed to visiting Millikin, Ill. 27-15 on Saturday. Coach Dean Kreps' Dutchmen slipped to 1-2 on the season. Hope led 9-7 at halftime on a 20-yard field goal by Evan Finch and four-yard touchdown run by fullback Brian Lynn, but Millikin scored the next 20 points to take command. Freshman Fluary Jackson closed the gap with a three-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Lynn led all rushers with 58 yards in seven carries while quarterback Michael Atwell complete 20-of-40 passes covering 196 yards. Luke Peterson caught seven passes for 105 yards. Punter Aaron Thompson averaged 40.2 yards on five kicks.

Flying Dutchmen Celebrate Community Day Victory (9/10/11)
Box Score
Finally! Hope's victory drought against non-conference opponents is finally over. Coach Dean Krep's Flying Dutchmen defeated Wisconsin Lutheran 28-14 Saturday before a Community Day crowd of 3,125. The victory was Hope's first against a non-league opponent since 2004, ending a string of 24 consecutive losses to non-MIAA foes.

Sophomore quarterback Mike Atwell had a strong performance in his second collegiate start. He scored a touchdown on a one-yard run and passed for another covering 11 yards to Luke Peterson.

Hope's offense was spread across the team with five players rushing with the football and seven catching a pass. Pass interceptions by Kyle Warren and Mark Karam were key fourth quarter plays. Punter Aaron Thompson was outstanding as seven of his eight punts ended inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Tailbacks Fluarry Jackson and Shawn Jackson each scored a touchdown on 14 and 42 yards respectively. Kicker Evan Finch was 4-for-4 on PATs extending his two-season-long streak to 20 in-a-row.

Flying Dutchmen Bow in Season Opener (9/3/11)
Stats
The season-opening nemesis continues for the Flying Dutchmen who were blanked by host Illinois Wesleyan 35-0. Hope's last season-opening and non-league victory was in 2004. Illinois Wesleyan led just 7-0 at halftime, but the Titans scored a pair of touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters. The Flying Dutchmen were into Illinois Wesleyan territory just once in the game. Quarterback Michael Atwell in his first collegiate start completed 16-of-33 passes for 107 yards. Hope had nine different receivers. Hope's ground game was limited to 75 net yards in 31 rushes.

Flying Dutchmen Picked to Finish 4th in MIAA (8/8/11)
Hope Pre-Season Outlook / Pre-Season Roster
The Flying Dutchmen have been picked to finish in the middle of the pack this coming season according to a pre-season poll of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) football coaches. The annual pre-season poll was announced Monday.

Coach Dean Kreps' Dutchmen have been picked to finish fourth in the seven-team race which is the same place where the 2010 team ended. Three-time defending MIAA champion Trine is the unanimous pick to repeat, followed by Albion, Adrian, Hope, Alma, Kalamazoo and Olivet.

The nation's oldest collegiate conference launches its 114th season of intercollegiate football with a month of non-league games beginning Labor Day weekend. The Flying Dutchmen begin practice for their 102nd season on Monday, Aug. 15. Hope's season begins Saturday, Sept. 3, at Illinois Wesleyan. The home opener is Saturday, Sept. 10 for the traditional Community Day game against Wisconsin Lutheran.