Aztec Bowl in Cancun, Mexico
BEREA, OHIO -- Baldwin-Wallace College senior All-American football safety Greg Koch (Olmsted Falls) has been selected by the American Football Coaches Association to play in the annual Aztec Bowl in Cancun, Mexico on December 13. But there is one problem. Koch may never get to play in the game.
Koch was selected to play in the all-star clash that annually pits the United States NCAA Division III All-Stars against the Mexican Collegiate All-Stars. The game is scheduled for Dec. 13. In addition, B-W is currently 9-1 overall and opens NCAA Division III National Playoff action this Saturday when it hosts Hanover (Ind.) College at The George Finnie Stadium on Saturday at 12:00 noon (EST). With a win versus Hanover and two more (in the second round on Nov. 29 and third round on Dec. 6), Koch would then be headed to the Div. III National Semi Final Game instead of the Aztec Bowl.
"This is a great honor, regardless if I ever get the chance to play in the game," said Koch, who leads B-W in tackles this year with 92 and is second all-time in B-W history with 252 overall. "My first priority is to win the Division III National title. We have to win five games to do it. If we accomplish that feat, missing the Aztec Bowl will be okay with me."
A year ago, 2003 B-W graduate and former Strongsville High standout Dave LaBahn represented B-W and the Ohio Athletic Conference in the Aztec Bowl with distinction. He was named as the game's Most valuable Player and caught the winning touchdown pass in a U.S. win.
Koch will also not be alone in Mexico. For the second straight year, retired B-W Head Coach Bob Packard will make the trip and serve as an assistant coach for the Division III All-Stars.
"It is a great, great honor," said Packard, who retired two years ago as the winningest football coach in B-W history with 156 wins. "Greg has had an outstanding career and is a special young man. I am sure that he will represent both B-W and the OAC well if he gets the chance to play in the game, but personally I hope he has to stay in the U.S. and lead B-W to a national title in Salem, Virginia the week after the game. (The Division III national championship game is in Salem on December 20.)"
As a freshman in 2000, Koch was one of nine first-year players who earned a varisty letter. He split time between the junior varsity and varsity squads. Koch played in four varsity games and was credited with three unassisted tackles and a total of five.
As a sophomore in 2001, Koch played safety and on the special teams. He finished second on the team with 71 tackles and first with four interceptions. He earned honorable mention All-OAC honors.
As a junior in 2002, Koch led the Yellow Jackets in tackles with 84, interceptions with five and pass breakups with 14. For his efforts, Koch was a first-team All-OAC selection, a first-team All-North Region pick, a second-team Football Gazette All-American as well as an honorable mention Hewlett-Packard All-American. In addition, Koch was named as the B-W Most Outstanding Defensive Back and as its R. E. Watts Most Valuable Defensive Player.
"I am looking forward to this week's game versus Hanover and really don't want to worry about anything else right now," said Koch. "I know my parents and I have to make arrangements for Cancun in case things don't go quite the way we want them to, but I will let them deal with that right now. I just want to focus on beating Hanover this week. When Sunday (Nov. 23) comes, then I will worry about next week. I have to take it one week at a time."
With a win versus Hanover on Saturday, B-W would face the winner of the Wheaton (Ill.) College versus Hope (Mich.) College game on November 29 at a site to be determined.
FOR MORE Baldwin-Wallace College Sports Information, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327, by FAX machine at 440-826-2329 or via e-mail at kruple@bw.edu. To contact Head Football Coach John Snell, please call him at 440-826-2069, FAX him at 440-826-2192 or e-mail him at jsnell@bw.edu.
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