'Berg and Otterbein to Battle for Rhine River Cup

The Heidelberg College football team will look to continue its trek through the rugged Ohio Athletic Conference on Saturday at Otterbein College. The game versus the Cardinals is the first of two-straight on the road for the Berg and will also pit the Berg and Cardinals in a battle for the Rhine River Cup.

Heidelberg and Otterbein played the first college football game in Germany, which ended in a 7-7 tie in Frankfurt in 1992. The two teams have been playing for possession of the cup ever since. The Cardinals hold a 9-5-1 lead in the Rhine River series, having won eight of the last nine meetings, including the last four.

Both teams come into the game off wins—the Cardinals downing Wilmington, 58-41, on the road and Heidelberg, under first-year head coach Mike Hallett, stunning Baldwin-Wallace, 42-20, at home. Otterbein, 2-3 overall, sits in a three-way tie with John Carroll (3-2) and Baldwin-Wallace (3-2) for fourth place, each 2-2 in the OAC. The Berg, 2-3 overall, sits in a three-way tie for seventh place with a 1-3 conference record.

The victory over nationally-ranked Baldwin-Wallace was one of the biggest victories in the program’s history since topping John Carroll 28-17 during the 1993 season. John Carroll was ranked in the preseason in three separate polls and entered week three of action against the Berg with a 3-0 overall record and a 2-0 conference record. Although it is not clearly stated where John Carroll was ranked at the time, it could be a fair assessment that the Blue Streaks were a top-team in the nation. Aside from its win over JCU in 1993, Heidelberg had not topped a ranked opponent since a 17-3 win over No. 6 B-W on Oct. 9, 1989. The 1989 win over the Yellow Jackets was also the last time the Berg had beaten B-W since its win a week ago.

Controlling the offense in 2007 has been senior signal caller )Steve West (Huron, Ohio / Huron). Steve West has completed 67-of-11 passes for 863 yards and three touchdowns on the year. The leading receiving threats for Heidelberg are Dawond Roddy (Sidney, Ohio / Sidney) and Lucas Bauer (Huron, Ohio / Huron) with a combined 35 catches on the year. Roddy leads the way with 287 yards on 21 receptions. Also figuring into the passing game coming out of the backfield is Kenny Sims (Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights). Sims has picked up 133 receiving yards on 11 catches.

Heidelberg is coming off the win against B-W that featured five rushing touchdowns by four different backs. Aaron Jonhenry (Berea, Ohio / Berea) picked up two, while Jemar Lewis (Bedford Heights, Ohio / Bedford) and Sims each had one. Steve West also rolled out of the pocket and found the end zone. Not to be overlooked is that Sims rushing touchdown was combined with a 45-yard pass from Steve West for a TD. On the year, Sims has picked up a team-high 212 yards on the ground, while Lewis has 192 yards and a team-best four touchdowns.

Adding to Heidelberg’s scoring threats is the leg of freshman place kicker Jesse Hawkins (Georgetown, Ky. / Scott County), who is 5-for-7 in field goals on the year, with his longest being a 35-yarder. In point after attempts, Hawkins is an impressive 11-for-12 thus far in 2007.

Helping to balance the demands of the OAC in 2007 has been a solid defensive unit that is paced by its linebacking core. Leading the way on the year is linebackers Brian West (Huron, Ohio / Huron) and Vaughn Klein (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) with 40 and 37 tackles, respectively. Defensive back Charlie Peffley (Hicksville, Ohio / Hicksville) is not far behind with 36, along with linebacker Matt Nero (Cortland, Ohio / Lakeview) with 35.

Nero, along with Fran Cavotta (Highland Heights, Ohio / North Olmsted) each have picked off two passes on the year. As a whole, the defense has 14 sacks on the year, led by four from Matt Grieves (Huron, Ohio / Huron).