Nationally ranked B-W no match for Heidelberg

The third time is the charm for the Heidelberg College football team and head coach Mike Hallett. The Berg took on its third-straight nationally-ranked opponent in No. 17 Baldwin-Wallace College today, and posted a 42-20 victory over the Yellow Jackets for its first win over a ranked team in three tries on the year. Heidelberg fell behind 3-0 in the first quarter, but bounced back to outscore the Yellow Jackets 42-17 over the final three quarters and posted its first Ohio Athletic Conference victory since the 2003 season.

The win improved Heidelberg’s overall record to 2-3 on the year and 1-3 in league play, while No. 17 B-W dropped to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the OAC. The victory was also the first for Heidelberg over Baldwin-Wallace since a 17-3 win on Oct. 9, 1989 in Tiffin.

B-W jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one quarter with a 33 yard field goal from kicker Adam Wilburn at the 9:26 mark. The Student Princes took the lead in the second quarter 7-3 after a two-yard Kenny Sims (Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights) touchdown run at the 6:09 mark and a Jesse Hawkins (Georgetown, Ky. / Scott County) point-after. With 49 seconds left before halftime, Heidelberg extended its lead to 14-3 after senior quarterback Steve West (Huron, Ohio / Huron) scampered seven yards into the end zone. Hawkins added the PAT.  Baldwin-Wallace closed the gap to 14-10 right before halftime thanks to a 51 yard touchdown pass from Anthony Gardener to Matt Lepley. The Yellow Jackets added the PAT with just 35 seconds left in the opening half.

In the third quarter Heidelberg extended its lead to 21-10 after a 45 yard pass connection at the 1:58 mark from Steve West to Sims. Hawkins added the extra point for Heidelberg

Another Adam Wilburn field goal, this one of 37 yards, brought the Jackets to within one score at 21-13 with 12:51 left in the game. But the Student Princes were quick to answer with a four-yard touchdown run by Aaron Jonhenry (Berea, Ohio / Berea) at the 9:24 mark. The Hawkins extra point made the score 28-1.

Jonhenry scored his second touchdown of the game with a six-yard run at the 6:12 mark and, along with another Hawkins PAT, extending the Heidelberg lead to 35-13. A pass from Anthony Gardener of 21 yards to Dan Damico brought the score to 35-20. Wilburn's PAT was good.

Heidelberg's offense refused to quit, adding a Jemar Lewis (Bedford Heights, Ohio / Bedford) six-yard run with three seconds left and Hawkins PAT closed out the scoring at 42-20.

Heidelberg was led on offense by Steve West, who completed 16-of-23 passes for 229 yards with one TD and two interceptions. Lewis led the Student Prince's running game with 61 yards on 18 attempts and a TD, while Jonhenry scored twice, picking up 15 yards for the day. Dawond Roddy (Sidney, Ohio / Sidney) led all Heidelberg receivers with five catches for 42 yards. Lucas Bauer (Huron, Ohio / Huron) hauled in four passes for a team-high 86 yards, including a 34-yard reception. Highlighting Heidelberg’s passing game was Sims coming out of the backfield with a reception for a 45-yard gain.

Defensively, Heidelberg was well-rounded with five different players picking up at least five tackles on the day. Leading the defense was the linebacking core of Matt Nero (Hillsboro, Ohio / Hillsboro), Vaughn Klein (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) and Brian West (Huron, Ohio / Huron) with a combined 24 tackles, led by nine apiece from Nero and Klein. Nero and Charlie Peffley (Hicksville, Ohio / Hicksville) each picked up an interception on the day.

Offensively, the Yellow Jackets were led by the running of senior Nick Ranallo with 57 yards on 12 carries. Gardener completed 13-of-28 passes for 216 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Lepley was the leading receiver with six catches for 106 yards and a TD. On the defensive side of the ball, B-W was led by Ryan Kish with 16 tackles followed by Luke Chronister with 14.

Heidelberg returns to action on Oct. 13 at Otterbein College. The game with the Cardinals marks the first of two-straight on the road for the Berg. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m.

 
Posted 10-8-2007