No Touchdown Drive for Hopkins’ Parents

Greg Hopkins’ parents drove more than seven hours to see him play for the Avengers last week at Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Avengers ended a two-game losing streak against the winless Rampage, but it was one of the few times Hopkins did not score a touchdown.

“My dad would have liked to see me in the end zone, but that’s not my call,” Hopkins joked.

Hopkins, a 32-year-old receiver and linebacker, began his ninth Arena Football League season in eighth place on the AFL’s all-time scoring list with 1,022 points in 102 games.

He has caught 23 passes for 271 yards and seven touchdowns this season for an Avenger team deep in productive receivers.

Hopkins, Chris Jackson -- the league’s offensive player of the year in 2003 -- and Joe Douglass are established AFL veterans. Kevin Ingram is an emerging star who is making a run for the league’s Ironman of the Year award that Hopkins won in 2002. Rookie Henry Douglas produced his best game to date in the Avengers’ 48-33 victory over Grand Rapids with three receptions for 30 yards.

“Grand Rapids didn’t let us go deep much,” said Hopkins, who had two receptions for 23 yards. “I would have liked to have caught a couple more balls, but as long as we’re winning that’s the important thing.”

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A week after playing 0-6 Grand Rapids, the Avengers play 5-1 Dallas on the road.

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A U.S. magistrate in Grand Rapids released Cornelius Coe on his own recognizance Wednesday, pending a trial that could begin within 70 days.

Coe, a starting defensive specialist, had been in custody since he was indicted on five cocaine-related felony counts Feb. 19. He could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

According to conditions of his bond, Coe must live with his parents in Chicago and cannot travel to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula except for scheduled court appearances, said Brian Lennon, assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan. The magistrate also instructed Coe to have no contact, directly or indirectly, with witnesses in the case, Lennon said.

As part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Russell Ryan, who was indicted with Coe, pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.