'Berg Football Highly Represented on All-OAC Team

The Ohio Athletic Conference Office announced today (Nov. 19) the 2007 football special award winners as voted on by leagues head coaches. Heidelberg College placed eight players on the all-conference team, with first-year head coach Mike Hallett earning the OAC Coach of the Year Award and offensive coordinator Jeff Filkovski being tabbed as the OAC Co-Assistant Coach of the Year with Jim Bickel of Capital University. The eight members on the all-league team is the most representation by the Berg since earning eight honors in 1994.

Junior running back Kenny Sims (Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights) was named to the All-OAC First Team Offense, marking the first time Heidelberg had a first-team honoree since Roc Patterson in 2004. Representing the Berg on the second team offense is junior wide receiver Dawond Roddy (Sidney, Ohio / Sidney), junior offensive lineman James Blankenship (Perrysburg, Ohio / Northwood), senior quarterback Steve West (Huron, Ohio / Huron) and freshman place kicker Jesse Hawkins (Georgetown, Ky. / Scott County). Junior defensive back Fran Cavotta (Highland Heights, Ohio / North Olmsted) was named to the second team defense, while junior wide receiver Lucas Bauer (Huron, Ohio /Huron) and sophomore defensive end Matt Grieves (Huron, Ohio / Huron) were honorable mention selections.

Heidelberg finished the year at 4-6 overall and 3-6 in the OAC, which marked the best season at the Berg since 1999. The Berg offense ranked in the top-five in the league in nine different offensive categories highlighted by its scoring offense (25.1), pass efficiency (138.7) and its red zone offense (32-of-41 scores), which all ranked third. Overall, Heidelberg racked up 3,449 yards of total offense, with 1,342 yards coming on the ground. Heidelberg’s rushing game provided 15 touchdowns, which eclipsed its total rushing TD’s over the last five years combined. Through the air, Heidelberg had 2,107 yards and 14 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Heidelberg was equally impressive, limiting its opponent’s offense by nearly 1,000 yards from the previous season. Its defensive line provided a solid foundation that gave up 50 percent less scores on the ground as in 2006. For the year, Heidelberg recorded 23 sacks for a total of 141 yards, which stood tied for fifth in the league statistics.

In 2007, Sims moved from wide receiver to running back to utilize his athleticism and for his efforts picked up his first postseason accolade. For the year, Sims led the team with 590 yards on the ground in 124 carries. He picked up three rushing touchdowns. Not to be outdone, Sims also hauled in 18 passes for 205 yards and two TDs. Sims saw time on special teams, returning 19 kickoffs for 337 yards. In a 37-33 win at Wilmington Oct. 20, Sims finished the game with a career-high 172 yards, earning him OAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades for the week of Oct. 22, 2007. Within the league statistics, Sims stands second in all-purpose yards per game (125.8) and fifth in rushing yards per game (65.6).           

Earning his second-consecutive spot on the all-league team is Roddy. Roddy was tabbed a honorable mention selection in 2006. He provided a solid threat at wide receiver in 2007, finishing with a team-high 45 receptions and five receiving touchdowns. In 45 catches, Roddy stood second on the team with 629 yards. On special teams, Roddy picked up a team-leading 398 yards in 18 kickoff returns. In the OAC, Roddy stands fifth in all-purpose yards per game (104.6), is tied for sixth in receptions per game (4.5) and is eighth in receiving yards per game (67.8).

Providing a solid foundation for Heidelberg’s offensive line was Blankenship. For his efforts, Blankenship is picking up his first all-conference nod. Blankenship spent the year at left tackle and helped to protect fellow All-OAC honoree West which allowed for the continued improvement of the Berg offense, moving into the top-half of the leagues offensive statistical categories.

Also earning his first nod on the all-conference team is West. In 2006, West earned a spot on the OAC Academic Honorable Mention Team. In 2007, West was Heidelberg’s signal caller and saved his best season for last. For the year, he completed 151-of-257 pass attempts for 2,039 yards and 13 touchdowns. He threw for over 100 yards in nine of the 10 games on the year, picking up over 200 yards five times and eclipsing the 300 mark on two occasions. Against Marietta Oct. 27, West threw for a career-high 357 yards. Within the OAC, he was third in total offense per game (206.1), fourth in passing average per game (203.9) and sixth in pass efficiency (139.0).

Making an immediate impact in his first season at the Berg was Hawkins. Hawkins connected on a Heidelberg single-season record 14 field goals on the year, including the top-two distances. At Ohio Northern Nov. 3 Hawkins booted a 47-yard field goal, only to better that Heidelberg record the next week against Muskingum with a 48-yard field goal. Aside from his 14-for-17 mark in field goals on the year, he was successful on 27-of-29 point after touchdowns to close the year with a team-leading 69 points. Along the way Hawkins picked up two OAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, with the later following his record-setting performance against Muskingum. He also concluded the year, earning a spot on the Don Hansen’s Football Gazette Division III National Players of the Week Team for the week ending Nov. 11, 2007. Hawkins currently leads the OAC in field goals per game (1.40) and is third in PAT kicking percentage (93.1).

Joining Roddy as a two-time All-OAC selection is Cavotta. Cavotta joined Roddy on the honorable mention list a year ago. He spent the year at strong safety and recorded 50 tackles, including 39 solo stops. Along the way Cavotta also picked off three passes for 32 yards and recovered two fumbles. Cavotta had an interception against Capital Sept. 22 and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. In the OAC, Cavotta is tied for second in fumbles forced per game (0.30) and passes defended (0.90).

Leading the team in receiving yards on the year was Bauer. He picked up 676 yards on 40 catches. His honorable mention nod is the first athletic postseason honor of his career, joining his 2006 All-OAC Academic First Team nod. Aside from his stats at wide receiver, Bauer handled punt return duties, picking up 78 yards in 12 returns. Within the OAC, Bauer stands sixth in receiving yards per game (67.6). In the final game of the year against Muskingum, Bauer picked up a career-high 216 yards on five receptions and scored two touchdowns to earn OAC Offensive Player of the Week accolades for the week of Nov. 12, 2007.

Rounding out the list of 2007 All-OAC picks is Grieves. Leading up to his first all-league honor was a season that saw Grieves led the team with 16 tackles for a loss and eight sacks. Overall he recorded 58 tackles, including 40 solo tackles. Grieves opened the year recording a career-high three sacks, to go along with five tackles, a blocked extra point attempt and recovered a fumble to earn OAC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the week of Sept. 10, 2007. He closed the year out with three fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks. In the OAC, he stands third in fumble recoveries per game (0.33), fifth in tackles for a loss per game (1.72) and sixth in sacks per game (0.83).