Mickey Hopkins dominated the second period of his wrestling match at 182 pounds on Jan. 20, scoring four points during an early flurry.

        Midway through the period, despite trailing 8-7, the Upper Perkiomen junior was awarded an injury default victory against Pottstown's Ernest McCalvin.

        Indians head coach Samuel Walters called the outcome unusual. But Walters said he figured Hopkins would have eventually won had the bout continued.

        "Mickey was really taking it to (McCalvin)," the coach said. "It was a big win for him and the team."

        Hopkins' victory sparked a flurry of five consecutive wins that rallied the host Indians to a 39-30 Pioneer Athletic Conference victory.

        His six-point win staked them to a 27-24 lead. Billy Brower (195 pounds) and Mike Modugno (220) followed with falls to secure the win.

        "Billy and Mike are both great wresters," Hopkins said. "We expected them to win. Everyone on this team looks up to them."

        Jared Kuhns (113) and Ryan Rossiter (126) each registered a pin for Upper Perkiomen, which overcame a 24-15 deficit. Jarek Svanson (120), Jacob Folk (160) and Mike Felix (170) also added victories.

        "Everyone is wrestling very well right now," Walters said.

        Hopkins, who trailed 6-3 after one period, posted four of six points in the second to get within 7-6 against McCalvin, who appeared to be favoring his left shoulder.

        The referee ruled that McCalvin was not prepared to continue when his two minutes of injury time expired.

        According to Walters, similar endings are usually accompanied by gruesome injuries. Hopkins described the ruling as a favor for his opponent.

        "I was surprised the match was stopped," Hopkins said. "I wanted to keep going. I'm sure I would have won."

        Walters says Hopkins has improved all season. According to the coach, the junior is wrestling smarter and is no longer allowing dumb points at the end of periods.

        Hopkins compared himself to a hitter who has accumulated enough at-bats to feel comfortable at the plate.

        "I'm right where I need to be," he said.

        The junior said he began to find his groove in the Big Red Duals at Souderton High School. The Indians went 2-2 during the tournament on Jan. 9, finishing 13th in the 16-team field.

        However, Hopkins went 3-1 during the tournament in bouts against Springfield (Montco), Wissahickon, Pennsbury and Palmerton.

        The following Saturday, Upper Perkiomen went 2-3 in the Thomas Hecker Duals at Garden Spot High School. The team beat Souderton (51-21) and Emmaus (36-3) while losing to Downingtown East (51-15) and La Salle College High (40-21).

        Hopkins posted a similar record. He said two of his three losses at the tournament came against heavier opponents.

        On Thursday, Jan. 21, Hopkins (11-10) scored a fall in Upper Perkiomen's 41-17 loss at Spring-Ford in the PAC-10. He notched a second-period pin against Tim Moran in the 195-pound bout. 

        Jacob Folk scored a 7-2 victory over Benjamin D`Arcangelo at 152 pounds for the Indians, who had a team point deducted. Brower received a forfeit at 220 pounds. Modugno posted a 2-1 win over Matthew Lepore.

        The Rams' coaching staff includes a new assistant, Tom Hontz. The former head wrestling coach at Upper Perkiomen, Hontz joined Tim Seislove's staff this season.