Huge 4th quarter lifts 'Berg in opener

Heidelberg used an explosive fourth quarter to pull away from Maryville College in its season opener at Hoernemann Stadium Saturday, 40-14.The Scots (0-1) scored on the opening drive of the second half against Heidelberg (1-0) to get within a score, 19-14.The 20-play, 84-yard drive lasted 10 minutes—ending when Maryville quarterback Jaxon Dabrowski kept it from two yards out.That 19-14 score carried into the fourth quarter until the Scots' backup QB Coby Walton was intercepted by 'Berg's Nick Finn at midfield with 10:38 left in the game.A roughing-the-passer penalty against Maryville moved the Student Princes to the Scots' 21-yard line.On second-and-10, Heidelberg QB Alex Arledge threw up a deep ball to wideout Aiden Bradshaw for a 21-yard touchdown pass. 'Berg freshman kicker Gryffin Bradley's point-after-try was good to make it 26-14 with 8:47 remaining in the fourth quarter.The Student Princes defense was able to force a turnover-on-downs, and get the ball back again at the Maryville 24.On the first play of Berg's drive, Arledge threw another deep ball to the end zone for a TD—this time to Elmwood alum Mason Mossbarger. Bradley's kick sailed through the uprights, and Heidelberg's lead was extended to 33-13 with 7:01 to go in the game.Another three-and-out by the Princes' defense gave the ball right back to 'Berg. On the first play, Brylen Parker cut through defenders on the way to a 69-yard TD run. Bradley's PAT capped the scoring."That was one of the grittiest performances I've seen from a team in a very, very long time…and just a gutsy performance from every single one of our kids. I'm extremely proud of these men." Heidelberg coach Scott Donaldson said.HU started the game and its season on offense—moving 72 yards in 11 plays. On third-and-8, Arledge threw a short pass to Bradshaw—who took it to midfield for 33 yards and the first down. Two plays later, Arledge connected with Bradshaw again for a 24-yard pickup.A 10-yard rush by senior Drew Miller moved 'Berg inside the red zone. The Scots defense bended but didn't break as they were able to force the Student Princes to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Bradley. Berg led 3-0 a little under four minutes into the game.Maryville came right out on their opening drive and moved the chains on third down when Dabrowski kept the ball for a 14-yard scramble.On third-and-6, Dabrowski threw a short pass over the middle to Jalen McCullough for nine yards. The next play, Dabrowski completed a 12-yard pass to Teddy Orton. Two plays later though, Maryville's Mushaba Zulu took a handoff to the right when the Berg's Thomas Zacharko forced a fumble and Finn jumped on it to give the good guys the ball at the their own 34 yard line.It was third-and-1 on the ensuing drive when Miller's three-yard plunge moved the sticks. The next three plays, Arledge hit Peters for 12, 8, and 19 yards to get to the Scots 20. From there, Maryville's defense was able to force another field goal attempt.Bradley's 37-yard field goal made it a 6-0 game in favor of Heidelberg with 2:09 remaining in the first quarter.The Student Princes defense held the Scots to a three-and-out, and a 16-yard punt return by sophomore Leo Martin gave Berg the ball at the Maryville 44.After runs of five and seven yards by Miller gained a first down, Arledge threw a deep ball over the middle to Bradshaw for a 26-yard advance to the Scots' 6. Two plays later, Arledge plunged in on a QB sneak. Bradley's kick gave Heidelberg a 13-0 lead. After swapping punts, 'Berg got the ball back at their own 16-yard line. On third-and-12, Arledge found Bradshaw 18-yards downfield, and Bradshaw took it the rest of the way for the 86-yard TD reception. The PAT failed, but the Princes still led 19-0.The Scots responded with an eight-play, 85-yard scoring drive that lasted 2:56. Dabrowski threw a 16-yard strike to Erozinis Edmondson. Then, on third-and-1, Dabrowski kept it for 16 yards then on the next play, he scrambled for 18 yards. Two plays later, Dabrowksi linked up with Edmundson again on 29-yard pass that put the Scots on the Berg 2.Dabrowski ran it in from there on the next play. It was 19-7 at the half.Heidelberg earned 20 first downs while passing for 299 yards and rushing for 129 yards to finish with 428 total offensive yards.Arledge completed 17-of-30 passes for 299 yards, three TDs, and one interception. Arledge's top target was Bradshaw—who caught six passes for 199 yards and two TDs. Peters had five receptions for 58 yards.Nick Jacoby led the 'Berg defense with eight tackles and two tackles-for-loss. Williams Betancourt had seven tackles, two TFL, and two sacks. Zacharko made six tackle, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.Finn had five tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception, and 0.5 TFL.