Quarterback Connor Blinn scrambles during a recent game against New Bedford. PHOTO/WILLIAM DURFEE

The Hopkinton High School football team made the turn into October looking to compete against its Tri-Valley League schedule. The Hillers dropped three of their first four games against strong non-league foes, but coach Mark Sanborn said his young roster is showing promise.

“We only have seven seniors, so there are definitely some growing pains, but I think a key thing we look at as coaches and as a group is the fact that we have gotten better every week against good competition,” Sanborn said.

Having a young team can put added pressure on a team’s captains, and Sanborn said his quartet of veteran leaders has stepped up.

“Both on and off the field, they are great leaders,” he said. “They do everything right, including in the classroom and in the community.”

Hopkinton’s captains this fall include Lucas Reed, a defensive back who also has seen time at running back and wide receiver. Devin Morrissiey is an anchor on the defensive line and also runs the ball well, scoring two touchdowns in the first four games. Gabe Cafazzo is a dual threat in the defensive backfield and as a wide receiver, and Connor Richardson is a star linebacker who also serves as the team’s backup quarterback.

Other players have shown promise through the early part of the year. Junior Alex Fine reeled in a pair of touchdown passes early in the season. Junior Connor Blinn is continuing to develop at quarterback. And Sanborn said a handful of sophomores — the Hillers start more than half a dozen — have emerged as key cogs. Brothers Bryson and Barrett Jochim both are starting on defense. Sophomore Luke Patterson is a threat on offense at wide receiver. The influx of young talent and the speed at which they are learning the ropes of varsity football has Sanborn optimistic for TVL play.

“Just looking at some of the other scores and records, the TVL seems pretty open this year,” he said. “We want to continue to get better every week, but the goal is to put four quarters together and play disciplined, clean football.”

Sanborn said that doing so should result in some victories as the Hillers aim to stay competitive week in and week out. He acknowledged that it can be a challenge when the effort is not resulting in victories, but he said this group is one that will maintain the strong culture the Hillers have built through the years.

“We definitely have a good corps of younger kids and, even though we have a small senior class, the seniors we have are the ones you want,” Sanborn said. “They are great kids. They are setting the tone for us, and they set a great example for the younger players.”