TIFFIN – Back for their 130th season on the gridiron, the Heidelberg University Football team is poised for another strong run through the Ohio Athletic Conference. After finishing 5-5 last year, Head Coach Scott Donaldson has the Student Princes refocused on the task at hand. 

THE PLAYMAKERS: Ty Poorman enters the season as the starting quarterback, with veterans Lance Rickle and Alex Arledge providing backup. In the backfield, venerable Drew Miller will see a lion's share of the carries. Cayden LeMaster and Korbyn Haley will also see action. 

A budding strength for the team is at the tight end position, with stalwarts Micah Willink and Seth Ray providing veteran leadership. Cole Poorman, Dmitry Peters and Solomon Sandoval are slated to see first-team reps at wide receiver, with Aiden Bradshaw, Mason Mossbarger, and Zachary Harpster getting snaps. 

The Offensive Line has a strong mix of youth and experience. Seniors Mitchell Smith and Austin Duffy control the right side of the line, with junior Zachery May at center. On the left side, sophomores Owen Taylor and Maximus Fortney will start.  

THE LOCKDOWN CREW: After losing a pair of All-American cornerbacks, the 'Berg secondary will see new faces. Xavier Weaver and Aaryion Manley will start, with Travis Bolden Jr. and Dane West seeing time. In the middle, safeties Griffin Reese and Tai Peterson are slated to start, with Austin Niederkohr and Thomas Zacharko active. 

The linebackers will be led by seniors Trey Farris and Logan Streacker, with juniors Nick Jacoby and Kris Williams providing experience. Camden Dings, Mason Villarreal, Jadon Goldman and John Irvine will rotate through. 

Up front, the line is anchored by several seniors, including Kobee Hooker, Jack Wendrickx, Bryant Pfeifer and Andrew Szepiela.  Michael Willams, Tyler Jackson, and Trevor Robinson will see time, as well.  

COACHES CORNER: Donaldson, as usual, will be flanked by long-time coordinators Jason Lewis (offense) and Branden Jakubcin (defense). Lewis returns both of his full-time staffers, Jemar Lewis and Tate Schorr.  Jakubcin is joined by new defensive line coach Demetrius Briggs.

Providing value assistance, the corps of graduate assistants and coaching interns includes returner Gabriel Marks and newcomers Zacarius Murray, Andrew Munger and Gunner Lesher. 

PRESEASON PICKS: Cocaches in the OAC once again selected Mount Union as the pre-season top pick. HU was placed at fourth, just behind Marietta, who received the final vote for first place. 

1. Mount Union 64 (8)
2. Baldwin Wallace 55
3. Marietta 49 (1)
4. Heidelberg 41
5. Ohio Northern 40
6. Muskingum 30
7. Capital 20
8. Wilmington 13
9. Otterbein 10 

THE SCHEDULE: Heidelberg opens the 2025 season on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m., hosting Hiram in just the second Thursday night game ever at Hoernemann Stadium. The Student Princes look to repeat last year's 38-14 win over the Terriers. Don't miss this historic night under the lights.

After a bye, the Student Princes will have their first road game at Ohio Northern on Saturday, Sept. 14, where they will take on the Polar Bears at 7 p.m. The game marks the annual Bendo Bowl between the schools. 

'Berg faces off against Calvin in their first battle at The Castle on Family Day, Sept. 20th at 7 p.m. This marks just the second year of Calvin's football program.

Homecoming is Oct. 4, at 1:30 p.m. against Capital. The game comes one day after the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Fieldhouse. 

The Student Princes hit the road for a showdown against the Pioneers at Marietta College on Oct. 11th at 2:30 p.m. 

In all, The Berg is home for six games this season -- including the annual Rhine River Cup game against Otterbein on Nov. 1.  

HOW TO WATCH:
In July, the Ohio Athletic Conference announced a media partnership with FloSports. The OAC's 23 sports will stream live exclusively on the FloCollege platform. 

FloCollege is available on the web and for download on mobile devices (iOS and Android) as well as smart TVs and streaming devices, including Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. FloSports offers both yearly and monthly subscription options, with discounts available to users with a heidelberg.edu email address. For more information and to subscribe, please visit https://www.bergathletics.com/flo

HOW TO FOLLOW:
BergAthletics.com will have up-to-the-minute information on schedule cancellations and alterations all season long.  Additionally, links for live stats and live video will be published as they become available. Follow @BergAthletics on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook.

Instagram: @bergfootball