Lexington seniors Hopper, Graves hope to go out with win

Jayson Hopper and Nick Graves didn’t have much time to dwell on their championship game defeat.

Less than a few hours after Lexington’s 63-13 loss to Northwestern in the Class 4A, Division II title game, the two Wildcat seniors were on their way to Spartanburg to take part in practice for Saturday’s 79^th annual Shrine Bowl.

“We went to sleep early and got up at like 4:30 in the morning and just focused on the Shrine Bowl,” Hopper said. “It was tough being with a group of guys for four years and that being your last game going out with a loss. Life goes on and we woke up and got ready for the Shrine Bowl.”

“It was tough to see the season end in a way like that. Winning 13 straight games was a huge accomplishment for our team,” Graves said. “It was sad to see it end, but I love all those guys. But it also was good, waking up in the morning and having a mindset for the Shrine Bowl.”

Both Graves and Hopper hope to go out with a win Saturday and said playing together one last time as teammates also is extra special this week. The two have been friends since they were in elementary school and played at Lexington the past four years.

“We grew up together as little kids. It is sad that we ended the season last game but I am glad I get to spend one more week with my man,” Graves said.

“We have been thinking about this for a long time and want to go out with a bang,” Hopper said.

Hopper and Graves are one of three sets of teammates from the Midlands playing in the Shrine Bowl. The others are Westwood offensive linemen Chris McCarthy and Torrey Boone and Newberry offensive lineman Demarcus Gillmore and quarterback/receiver Yafari Werts. McCarthy and Boone are the first two players in Westwood history to make the Shrine Bowl.

Werts and Gillmore are playing for the first time since losing in the Class 2A, Division I championship game Dec. 5.

It was the first time since 2011 that Lexington has had two players selected for the game.

Hopper and Graves were part of a senior-laden Lexington team, which set a record for victories in a season with 13.

Hopper led Lexington with 76 catches for 838 yards, including 10 catches in the state title game. The 6-foot-1 receiver has offers from Appalachian State and Charleston Southern, but there is a chance he will try and walk on at Clemson.

Graves, a defensive back, remains committed to The Citadel and finished the year with 38 tackles and two interceptions.

“It is great, and those two kids have been starters since day one when I got here,” Lexington coach Josh Stepp said. “They are great football players and better people. They represent what Lexington football is all about.”

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Lexington seniors Hopper, Graves hope to go out with win."