The Berg Stood Strong, But Fell Short In The End To Oberlin, 48-34

Sophomore Dawond Roddy recorded 172 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The Heidelberg College football team opened up its 2006 slate with a 48-34 setback to host Oberlin College today despite a career outing from sophomore wide receiver Dawond Roddy (Sidney, Ohio / Sidney). Roddy hauled in five catches for 172 yards and three touchdowns. Not to be overlooked is Roddy's 112 yards on four kickoff returns, including a 35-yard return that would set up an eventual 39-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Prorok (Baltimore, Ohio / Liberty Union) to Roddy in the fourth quarter.

Today's contest took a little while to get rolling. Neither team scored in a first quarter that only lasted 23 minutes. Oberlin threatened on its first series, but a blocked field goal by Ben Ciborek (Hudson, Ohio / Hudson) quieted the Yeoman early on. Heidelberg jumped out on the board first in the second quarter on a 36-yard pass from Steve West (Huron, Ohio / Huron) to running back Branden Parker (Sidney, Ohio / Sidney) with just over ten minutes left in the half. Oberlin responded quickly, though, after Greg Mangan threw touchdowns passes to Cassisus Harris and Chris Schubert.

With Oberlin leading 13-7 at the 1:30 mark, Heidelberg's Roddy caught a 55-yard pass from Prorok to put the Berg up 14-13 with 44 seconds remaining in the second period. The momentum shifted quickly just moments later after Cassius Harris caught a 47-yard hail mary from Mangan as time expired.

With the Yeomen leading 21-14 at intermission, play was suspended for an hour due to lightning and dangerous weather. After the long break Oberlin put together an eight-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by Carroll with 11:06 left in the third. On the ensuing possession, the Berg was forced to punt, but would regain possession of the ball on a Chad Packard (Brook Park, Ohio / Midpark) interception at the Oberlin 48-yard line. Packard's pick would set up a five-play, 42-yard touchdown drive by the Berg. West was forced out of the pocket and rolled to the right only to find sophomore Lucas Bauer (Huron, Ohio / Huron) streaking across the back of the end zone for the score. The extra point attempt failed and Oberlin held on to a 27-20 lead until Mangan connected with James Brady to put the hosts up 34-20 with 1:18 remaining in the third.

Heidelberg did not back down as Roddy returned the ensuing kickoff 35-yards to set up his 39-yard TD strike from Prorok to pull the Berg within 34-27 with just over 14 minutes left on the game clock. Oberlin would respond with two-straight scores to hold a 48-27 lead. The Berg continued to fight. Roddy returned an Oberlin kickoff 22 yards to set up a five-yard run by Parker followed by a 28-yard pass from Prorok to Kenny Sims (Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights). Prorok continued to move the ball up the field this time with a 36-yard pass to Bauer that set up Roddy's third touchdown of the game. The final score of the game saw Roddy pull in a Prorok pass in the right corner of the end zone, with a defender in his face, before falling out of bounds.

Prorok finished 11-of-22 for 227 yards and three touchdowns, while West threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns on 7-of-10 passing attempts. Roddy paced the Berg through the air, while Parker controlled the running game, finishing with 58 yards on 19 carries. Sophomore Fran Cavotta (Highland Heights, Ohio / North Olmsted) and Packard led the Berg defense with 11 and 10 tackles, respectively.