FULL OAC RELEASE (PDF)

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio -- As voted on by the coaches, the Ohio Athletic Conference announced the football 2019 All-Conference teams on Monday morning.

The list featured the selections of 12 Heidelberg University players and Offensive Coordinator Jason Lewis as the OAC Assistant Coach of the Year. Of those 12 players, 2019 marks the first All-Conference awards for eight. 

Those 12 selections included five first-team, five second-team, and two honorable mention honorees. Featured on the first-team were wide receiver Maceo Matthews, tight end Nick Cofer, center Brad Wienhold, quarterback Jimmy Gephart, and cornerback Tramon Wiley. Included on the second team were running back Montavious Yearby, defensive linemen Verondtae Wilkinson and Matt Davenport, linebacker Zach Blackiston, and punter Parker Smith. On the honorable mention list is wide receiver Dimitri Penick and defensive back Elijah Brechbill. 

With his award, Lewis became the Berg's first OAC Assistant Coach of the Year since current head coach Scott Donaldson won the award in 2012. Lewis served as the guiding force for an offense that racked up nearly 5,000 yards of total offense with 4,898 and scored 52 touchdowns. For much of the season, Heidelberg's offense led the nation in total offense, but finished the season ninth out of 245 programs and second in the conference behind Mount Union. 

Matthews, a 2018 All-OAC second team selection, was the team's leading receiver this season with 47 receptions for 895 yards and 12 touchdowns. Furthermore, in the dynamic offense, Matthews threw one pass this season that connected for a 21-yard touchdown to fellow first-team selection Cofer. 

Cofer, who is a 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District winner, hauled in 24 catches for 290 yards and a touchdown score from the underutilized tight end position. Cofer was also a big contributor to the blocking game helping the Berg offense stay near the top of the nation's offense rankings this season. 

Wienhold, a 2018 All-OAC second team honoree, does not get the credit for the stats, but was the leader on the offensive line that carved the way for an offense that rushed for 2,054 yards this season. 

Gephart, earning his first conference award, led the league in passing yards with 2,632 yards and was second in passing touchdowns with 29. His 29 TD passes broke Michael Mees' 2014 Heidelberg record of 28 for most in a season. 

Wiley, also earning his first conference award, was instrumental in the defensive backfield this season leading the league with six interceptions. In addition to his picks, Wiley added 27 total tackles and five pass breakups. 

Yearby, the lone Berg freshman to be selected, was the team's leading rusher in his debut season. On 174 attempts, Yearby rushed for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns. In addition, Yearby caught 14 passes for 146 yards and another touchdown.

Wilkinson, a two-time first team All-OAC selection, recorded 28 total tackles on the year, which included 11 for a loss and three sacks. In addition, Wilkinson was credited with a forced fumble.

Davenport, earning his first postseason recognition, garnered 33 total tackles that featured two for a loss. Furthermore, Davenport had two pass breakups and a blocked kick. 

Blackiston, a 2018 first team honoree, led the team with 83 total tackles that included 8.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. Blackiston also tallied three pass breakups, four QB hurries, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick. 

Smith, a first time OAC selection, had big shoes to fill in replacing All-American Austin Baker, but did so very well. Smith punted 44 times for an average of 40 yards per punt, five touchbacks, 11 inside-the-20, and nine that carried for 50 or more yards. 

Penick, earning his first postseason award, was the second leading receiver with 51 catches for 661 yards and eight touchdowns this season. 

Brechbill, a senior also earning his first recognition, was third on the team with 47 tackles. Also, in the defensive backfield, Brechbill had three interceptions, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. 

Across the league, Heidelberg tied with John Carroll with 12 total honorees as second most behind Mount Union who had 18 selections.