Ryan Hopkins

Glenbrook South QB Ryan Hopkins said that ‘‘Maine South is always our biggest game in the regular season."
(Jason Brown/Pioneer Press)

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Glenbrook South senior quarterback Ryan Hopkins in the Sun-Times Spotlight Player of the Week. Hopkins and the Titans play top-rated Maine South on Friday. 

How tough would it be to play for your father, former Maine South coach Phil Hopkins? I was a ballboy when I was 5 or 6. He coached me in seventh and eighth grade when I played for the Glenview Junior Titans. With him, you have to be very disciplined and ready to play every day. He holds everyone accountable. I can see him getting on me because he’s my father.

Have you ever been to Roodhouse? That’s where my father grew up. He has talked about it. But I’ve never been there. When he was coaching, a Maine South player tried to find it, but it wasn’t on the map.

Best advice your father gave you? Always stay poised in the pocket, have confidence in your line, don’t think about little things that might happen and keep your mind on the game plan. He gave me the same advice he gave John Schacke, the quarterback of his 1995 state championship team: Never throw a hope, give [Brian] Schmitz a chance.

How important is the game tonight against Maine South? It is the most important game I’ve played in so far. People are excited. Some former players are coming back from college to see it. Maine South is always our biggest game in the regular season because they are No. 1 in the conference almost every year.

Best memories of Maine South? I always liked to watch the quarterbacks. I always wanted to be one. I remember meeting Schacke, and I remember the 2000 semifinal when they came back to beat Lincoln-Way 35-34 in two overtimes.

How have you improved since you quarterbacked the unbeaten junior varsity last year? I’ve improved my footwork, accuracy, velocity and decision-making. Making good decisions with the ball is all about experience, learning to make the right reads, seeing new things and making adjustments and knowing where to throw at the right time.

What did you learn from Charlie Bliss, Maine South’s offensive coordinator? I attended his summer camps. All the good quarterbacks in the area go there. He teaches the right principles of being a good quarterback. He said you have to have good footwork before you can become a good quarterback.

How is Glenbrook South offensive coordinator Dave Schoenwetter different from Bliss? When I have a bad day, he’ll know why. He’ll pick up on it. He’ll find out what is wrong and fix it. Before games, he’ll tell me: ‘‘Do your job and make your plays. Don’t try to make something spectacular happen. Nothing special, just do your job.’’

What do you most admire about Glenbrook South coach Mike Noll? He is similar to my father. He keeps everyone together as a team. Everyone has their own roles. He reminds us: If everyone does his job, we can be the best we can be.

Superstition? Before every game, we eat Subways as a team in the cafeteria. I prefer turkey.

College aspirations? When I was young, my dream was to play in the NFL or NBA. But I learned that wasn’t realistic. I’m waiting to see how my football and basketball seasons end up. Then I probably will choose one sport to play in college.