The Collegian

Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: William Clayton

Media Credit: William Clayton

Hillsdale College has been around for 165 years. It has 1,381 students. It has 60 miles between its campus and the nearest interstate. Its campus picks up about two and a half discernable FM radio stations. And now, Hillsdale College holds one Division II playoff win.

With a single kick, senior Mark Petro put Hillsdale on the map-the map D-II coaches across the country keep, hanging just above their desks. The Chargers are for real. The team's 27-24 overtime win against the Mavericks of Minnesota State University Saturday spoke volumes about the team's determination and toughness. Still, it was perfectly summed up by one word as Charger head coach Keith Otterbein sat down for his postgame press conference.

"Wow!" he said.

Otterbein credited his men with staying collected throughout the game's ups and downs.

"The kids stayed focused," he said. "Kept their composure."

Junior quarterback Troy Weatherhead said his team was not about to back down.

"We had to keep throwing punches," he said. "We stayed in there the whole time."

The game was back and forth the entirety of the first half, with the teams exchanging touchdowns until the final seconds when Hillsdale held the Mavericks to a field goal. The Chargers trailed 17-14 at the break. Then staunch defense and steady offensive play gave the Michigan men a 24-17 lead with only seconds left.

Minnesota State scored their first points of the second half with 38 seconds remaining in the game. Though Hillsdale nearly marched down for a game-winning field goal attempt in those last moments, it was on to overtime. A Maverick fumble on the first drive of the extra period set up the kick.

"As far as kicks I've made in my career, this was definitely the biggest I've ever had," Petro said.

Petro is no newcomer to big-time kicks. A preseason All-American in Division II this year and the all-time points leader in the 118-year history of Hillsdale football with 311, he did not allow the moment-nor the "icing" timeout by MSU-to phase him.

"It was just like every other kick," he said about his mental approach. "Just thought about staying relaxed and focused."

While he was relaxing, the fans were freaking out. The teams lined up, the ball was snapped, and it flew through the air for what seemed like an eternity. When it finally split the uprights, pandemonium ensued. Hillsdale students hugged professors, professors hugged players, and players hugged other players. The field was flooded with blue and white within seconds.

Otterbein said the Hillsdale fans really came through for the Chargers and was elated with the many troopers who made the 11-hour drive from Hillsdale to Mankato.

"I thought it was phenomenal," he said. "The 12th- man statement was really true today. It was great of our kids and supporters.

There were penny-filled water jugs, cowbells, signs and chants-endless chants. If it made noise, or was blue, or both, it was utilized by the Hillsdale student section, which was transported to the game overnight on two, full charter buses.

Despite the disappointing loss for Minnesota State, the Mavericks head coach Todd Hoffner offered nothing but respect for the Charger football team after the game.

"They're very vanilla, but very good at what they do," he said. "They are who they are. If we were going to lose, and to a classy team, it'd be Hillsdale."

Hoffner added he thinks the Chargers go about their business in the proper manner and wished them luck in going all the way.

Even with the wishes for ultimate success from his opponent, Otterbein is far from allowing "all the way" to cloud his mind right now.

"Any win's a good win," he said. "But I've been doing this for 30 years, and I've learned the wins are great but don't last very long. Losses hurt and last. We'll enjoy this till we get back then get ready for Grand Valley [State University]."

Hillsdale heads to Grand Valley Saturday for a 1 p.m. rematch between the two GLIAC powers. The Chargers will look to continue what's becoming a Cinderella season with a second win against their conference foe this year.

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