The 36th annual Hope-Holland Community Day football game on Saturday (Sept. 15) will be preceded by a picnic. Later in the day, the Flying Dutchmen hope to feast on the Tigers of DePauw.

Kickoff at Holland Municipal Stadium will be 1:30 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast by WHTC-AM (1450) and WFUR-FM (102.9).

The game will mark the 23rd year and 100th Hope contest at Holland Municipal Stadium. The Flying Dutchmen have a 60-36-3 record on the stadium. However, Hope has not won its home opener since 1990.

This has become a great rivalry. It started in 1951 and Hope owns a slim 16-15 advantage in victories, including a thrilling 30-24 overtime triumph in Greencastle last fall.

Hope's defense was stellar against the Valparaiso rush last Saturday, allowing just 1.8 yards per carry (104 yards on 58 rushes). A year ago the Flying Dutchmen ranked second in NCAA Division III against the rush, allowing just 53.8 yards per game.

Hope's biggest defensive challenge Saturday is going to come from DePauw's high-powered passing attack. In just two games, DePauw quarterback Jason Lee has completed 71-of-112 passes for 824 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year he attempted a DePauw-record 72 passes against the Flying Dutchmen. Tiger wide receiver John Stephens caught 14 passes last Saturday against Hanover as Lee completed 37-of-60 attempts.

Hope's defense had seven quarterback sacks against Valparaiso, led by junior Andy Keller with three.

Sophomore John Sloothaak performed in the tradition of Hope's outstanding tailback players as he gained 140 yards on 22 carries, including a 61-yard touchdown run. Senior receiver Brian Adloff caught seven passes for 83 yards to raise his career-record numbers to 146 receptions for 1,741 yards.

Halftime will feature the Zeeland High School marching band, under the direction of Keith Walker.