Army Football: Black Knights may just shock the nation in 2019

Kelvin Hopkins Jr. makes offense lethal

When you watch Army football, or any service academy for that matter, you know exactly what you are in for on offense. Expect to see some sort of triple-option philosophy — there’s going to be a lot of run plays.

It’s like watching an army seize a castle. The opposing army uses a battering ram to pound the door until it finally falls, and at the same time they are using siege ladders on an opposite wall.

Just when you think all the Knights are doing is running that fullback belly, senior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. takes it out of the fullback’s hands and either pitches or keeps it himself — it’s a thing of beauty.

Speaking of Hopkins, he’s what makes the offense so lethal. Unlike his predecessor Ahmad Bradshaw, Hopkins can throw as well as run. In fact, he ran and threw for over 1,000 yards last season. His ability as a passer creates an entire other headache for any defensive coordinator trying to defend an offense most teams only see once a year.

The key to the Army attack is the fullback, so they are going to have to find a replacement for battering ram fullback Darnell Woolfolk — 240-pound Connor Slomka seems most qualified to take Woolfolk’s place.

They lose Jordan Asberry and his 19.9 yards per catch and four touchdowns, but co-leading receiver/running back Kell Walker returns, and Army is never short on running back depth. Look for another ho-hum 300 rushing yards per game season for the Knights.