2007 Football Preview

The Heidelberg College football team kicks off its 2007 campaign under first-year head coach Mike Hallett, an Ohio native and an All-American as a member of Ohio Athletic Conference member Mount Union College. Hallett was named the 33rd head coach in the 111-year program history on Dec. 16, 2006. He inherits a program that is winless in its last 36 games.
 
Hallett has acquired the unique distinction of helping the Student Princes restore its winning philosophy that helped to guide Heidelberg to seven OAC Championships and a 1972 Stagg Bowl Championship. The hope for immediate improvement and a winning philosophy has been on the minds of the entire team since falling under Hallett’s direction.
 
“We are going to give it our all to allow for us to be in a position to compete for a win in the fourth quarter,” stated Hallett. But in order for opportunities in the final quarter to present themselves, Hallett and the coaching staff stresses the importance of the process to winning. “There is a process to winning which includes paying attention to detail and handling the little things. In doing these two things the winning will take care of itself.”
 
To assist with the process to winning, Hallett will look to a veteran group of leaders, which consists of six seniors, to offer leadership at all positions.
 
Offensive leadership will come in the form of the one-two combination of senior quarterbacks and vocal leaders Steve West and Bryan Prorok, along with a backfield that consists of senior Joe Richardson, who brings levity to the field. Senior Phil Carr has the offensive line working together to help stabilize Heidelberg’s offense that has a receiving core that provides solid leadership and model a winning behavior which is highlighted by juniors Dawond Roddy and Lucas Bauer.
 
On the defensive side of the ball leadership will come in the form of  senior linebackers Matt Nero and Chris Strawser, who are joined by fellow linebacker junior Brian West. Helping to stop the opponents running game and allowing for good field position for Heidelberg will be a defensive line that is led by an enthusiastic junior in Mack Lee, along with emerging leaders junior Horace Smith and sophomore Matt Grieves. Leading the secondary will be junior Fran Cavotta, whose leadership is a constant presence on every series.