TIFFIN, Ohio – Heidelberg is a college football program on the rise.
With a spring season that has been both exhilarating and tragic to this point, the Student Princes have come together at the right time in preparation for their final game. As the Ohio Athletic Conference West champion, Heidelberg (4-0) will face off against Mount Union (3-0; OAC East champion) in the conference final tonight (Apr. 16; 7 p.m.) at Mount Union Stadium in Alliance, Ohio.
This means a lot to Heidelberg senior wide receiver and Dwyer alum Dimitri Penick, who has caught 17 passes for 233 yards (second highest total on the team) and three touchdowns in four games played.
“I’m super excited,” Penick said. “We have a big opportunity to make history. This is the first-ever OAC championship game, and the chance to beat Mount for the first time since the 1970’s, so I cant wait to go out there and win this football game for the city of Tiffin, Heidelberg and for Curt.”
Penick made a reference to linebacker Curtis Helman, who was tragically killed in an ATV accident on the morning of March 28. It was apparent that Helman had a large impact on the program, which has dedicated the rest of their season in his honor.
Helmam’s untimely death has undoubtedly brought the Heidelberg unit closer in a special way.
“I think we’ve just played together and for each other,” Penick said. “We’ve been through a lot this spring. We have handled it very well. We were able to do that because we handled it together and just stuck close to one another. The bond this team has is what really has stood out to me and how we have handled adversity.”
Freshman cornerback and Forest Hill alum Keyshawn Cunningham, who has seen some time on the field this spring, raves about Penick’s leadership in this moment.
“Meech [Dimitri Penick] has been helping us on offense a lot,” Cunningham said. “He comes in with key blocks on the outside and makes the catches we need. Meech is my boy for sure. He has gotten me better and gives me the confident to guard any receiver on game day.”
Penick is proud of the progress that Cunningham has made since his arrival at Heidelberg this past summer.
“I think Keyshawn has been great with working hard since he has gotten here and showing up to everything on time,” Penick said. “It has allowed him to get some meaningful playing time as a freshman.”
Cunningham said he is thankful for the opportunity to showcase has talent at Heidelberg.
“It feels good to be able to come in as a freshmen and play for a league title,” Cunningham said. “I’m glad I can do it with a family that really cares about each other.”
Also playing for Heidelberg is fellow freshman, defensive back, and Forest Hill alum Keimoni Hunter.
“Keimoni had sone injuries early on, so he had to play catch up a little bit,” Penick said. “But since he has been healthy, he has looked good, flying around at practice and making plays.”
With Penick’s time at Heidelberg nearing its end – he will get to play the entire fall 2021 season to close out his college football career – he sees potential in the two Forest Hill alums who will represent Palm Beach County at the Division III school in 2022 and beyond.
“I think both of them will be key pieces to Heidelberg’s football team in the near future,” Penick said. “I think they will have great college careers here.”
HEIDELBERG’S RUN TO OAC TITLE GAME
Game 1: 66-13 home win over Capital on March 19
Game 2: 38-16 road win over Wilmington on March 26
Game 3: 44-14 road win over Otterbein in April 2
Game 4: 42-35 home win over Ohio Northern on April 9 to capture Bendekovic Bowl
Game 5: TBD on the road at Mount Union; first OAC title game since 1983
HEIDELBERG-MOUNT UNION SERIES
Mount Union leads Heidelberg, 50-13. Mount Union has beaten Heidelberg in 30 straight meetings, including a 27-0 win in 2019.
HOW TO WATCH OAC TITLE GAME
Boxcast.TV stream: https://boxcast.tv/view/football-mount-union-vs-heidelberg-395032?b=fxqx1shcv606qezvmwqu
PHOTO CREDITS: Heidelberg Football
