'Berg makes a statement early and never looks backs

The Heidelberg College football reached the end zone in five of its six first-half possessions and never looked back en route to a 62-27 non-conference win over visiting Westminster College today at Frost-Kalnow Stadium. The win marks the second-straight season that head coach Mike Hallett has led the Berg to a win in its first outing of the year. The last time that Heidelberg won at least two-straight season openers was when it claimed victories in 1992, 1993 and 1994
 
For fans that would like to catch a replay of the game take a look at SportsTime Ohio this evening as the game will be broadcast following the Cleveland Indians game.
 
Heidelberg made a statement early when they elected to receive the opening kickoff and marched 55-yards in six plays. Jemar Lewis (Bedford Heights, Ohio / Bedford Chanel) rushed for an 11-yard touchdown and Jesse Hawkins (Georgetown, Ky. / Scott County) converted the point after attempt to put Heidelberg on top 7-0.
 
Also scoring in the first quarter to give Heidelberg a 14-0 advantage after 15 minutes was freshman Adrian Balser (Junction City, Ohio / Sheridan) on a 15-yard run, along with a Hawkins PAT.
 
The Berg continued to dominate heading into the second quarter and sophomore quarterback Andrew Miller (Dalton, Ohio / Dalton) connected with newcomer Jozey Hill (Bloomington, Ind. / Bloomington North) for a three-yard score. Hill also picked up his first collegiate score on the play.
 
Westminster did not get on the board until a 34-yard field goal from Fred Romeo with 8:54 on the clock in the first half, but Heidelberg responded with a three-play, 70-yard drive, that ended with a Miller 52-yard TD reception to sophomore Mike Preston (Maple Heights, Ohio / Euclidb Heidelberg went on to build a 21-10 lead heading into the locker room.
 
The second half produced similar results. Heidelberg scored on its first three-possessions and outscored the Titans 20-0 in the third quarter to hold a 41-10 lead. Highlighting the quarter was a 60-yard touchdown strike from Miller to Dawond Roddy (Sidney, Ohio / Sidney).
 
Westminster scored 17 of its 28 points in the final quarter to cut its final deficit to 62-27. Heidelberg closed out its scoring with a Tim Taylor (Lorain, Ohio / Admiral King) fourth quarter 30-yard rushing touchdown, marking his first collegiate score.
 
For the game, Heidelberg amassed 596 yards, including 355 through the air. Westminster picked up 326 total yards of offense, but was held to just 98 yards on the ground. Heidelberg’s defensive line made a statement as defensive tackle Matt Grieves (Huron, Ohio / Huron) shared team honors with linebacker Vaughn Klein (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) with 10 tackles apiece. In his inaugural debut on the Heidelberg gridiron all-conference basketball player Shawn Shriver (Bellevue, Ohio / Western Reserve), along with senior Brian West (Huron, Ohio / Huron), each finished with seven tackles.
 
A year ago, Miller completed just 1-of-3 passes, but emerged into the starting role today and went 15-for-20 for 322 yards and three touchdowns. Balser led the ground game with 139 yards on 10 carries, while Taylor tallied 80 yards in 12 runs. Roddy picked up his third 100-yard career receiving game, finishing with 161 yards on six receptions. Balser and Lewis each picked up two TD’s on the ground. Aside from Balser and Taylor scoring their first career touchdowns, Greg Tyson Jr. (Lima, Ohio / Lima Senior) added his first after competing for four year on Heidelberg’s men’s basketball and track and field teams.
 
Heidelberg enters its bye week for the 2008 season, and returns to Frost-Kalnow Stadium Sept. 20 when they open up Ohio Athletic Conference play with Capital University. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.