By: Ace Hunt
SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. – The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College sprint football team (
5-0) returns home for
Senior Day on
Saturday, November 1, hosting
Bellarmine University (3-3) at
3 p.m. (ET) on
Jay Barrett Field. The matchup will be
televised on the Indiana Sports Network,
streamed live at SMWCAthletics.com, and
broadcast on 95.3 WNDI Radio with
legendary John Montgomery on the call.
Celebrating the 2024 Senior Class
Before kickoff, SMWC will honor 13 seniors who have helped transform the program into an MSFL powerhouse:
Jeremiah Tosky,
Kyle Vernelson,
Lane Sluder,
Dalton Wilkinson,
Kevin Garcia,
KC Stein,
Debryan Bush,
Trey Carter,
Jake Skinner,
Nolen Noel,
Kerry Lacey,
Elias DeJesus, and
Jaeden King.
This class has guided SMWC to four straight postseason appearances, an undefeated road record, and three consecutive championship game berths.
Series Notes
SMWC and Bellarmine meet for the
fourth time in program history. The Pomeroys hold a
2-1 all-time advantage, though Bellarmine remains the
only MSFL opponent SMWC has yet to defeat at Jay Barrett Field (0-1). Saturday's meeting provides a chance to change that while closing the regular season unbeaten.
Last Time Out – Pomeroys Power Past Quincy to Stay Unbeaten
QUINCY, Ill. – Saint Mary-of-the-Woods improved to 5-0 after a commanding
47–20 victory at Quincy University on October 24. The Pomeroys exploded for a 23–0 first-quarter lead and never trailed, extending their program-best road mark to
14-0 all time.
Xander Hunt opened the scoring with a 5-yard run,
Derron Hazzard added a 5-yard touchdown pass to
Kyle Vernelson, and
Jeremiah Tosky connected with
Dameon Miller for a 15-yard score. The defense added a safety to cap the dominant quarter.
Offensive Breakdown
Passing Attack
Senior quarterback
Jeremiah Tosky continues to direct one of the nation's most efficient offenses. Through five games, he has completed
92-of-157 passes (58.6%) for 1,223 yards and 12 touchdowns, good for a
142.9 passer rating and
244.6 yards per game.
Sophomore
Carter Hall has been reliable off the bench (8-for-11, 82 yards), while
Derron Hazzard has thrown for one score and added multiple touchdowns on the ground.
Ground Game
The Pomeroys average
152 rushing yards per game and have scored
15 touchdowns on the ground.
The team's balance has produced
761 net rushing yards on 174 attempts (4.4 avg), helping SMWC control possession and tempo.
Receiving Depth
SMWC's deep receiving corps has totaled
1,284 yards and 14 touchdowns, with 16 different players recording receptions.
- Corbyn Cleveland (23 rec, 290 yds, 6 TDs) and Dameon Miller (23 rec, 262 yds, 2 TDs) anchor the group.
- Owen Huff (11 rec, 265 yds, 24.1 avg, 2 TDs) has emerged as the downfield threat.
- Veteran Kyle Vernelson (14 rec, 139 yds, 1 TD) and Patrick Perea (7 rec, 76 yds, 1 TD) add reliability underneath.
- Jaeden King and Derron Hazzard have also reached the end zone through the air.
The Pomeroys average
415 total yards per game—
263 passing and
152 rushing—while leading the MSFL in scoring (47.6 points per game).
Defensive Dominance
SMWC's defense continues to set the standard in the MSFL, leading the league with
10 interceptions, 15 sacks, and 40.5 tackles for loss.
- Adonimi Parker paces the unit with 40 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery.
- Byran Simmons has been a ball-hawk with 33 tackles and 5 interceptions, returning one for a score.
- Jake Skinner and John Taft (26 tackles each) anchor the line, combining for 6.5 TFLs and two sacks.
- Peyton Metzger (20 tackles, 3 sacks) and Garry Settle (14 tackles, 1 sack) add depth to the front rotation.
- In the secondary, Tyler Young, Holtman Doades, and Elijah Connor have each recorded interceptions, while Elias DeJesus and Jaidyn Hoole shore up the linebacking core.
Through five games, SMWC has allowed opponents just
3.1 yards per carry,
114 rushing yards per game, and
four rushing touchdowns total.
Special Teams Strength
Junior kicker
Connor Wardlaw earned
MSFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his perfect Week 6 performance. The Spencer, Ind. native accounted for nine points against Quincy and remains perfect on the season.
Jason Rucker II continues to spark the return game, and the Pomeroys have added a blocked kick and a safety on special teams this season.
Pomeroys at a Glance
- Record: 5-0 (4-0 MSFL)
- Scoring Margin: +129 (238–109)
- Offense: 415 ypg / 47.6 ppg (254 passing, 155 rushing)
- Defense: 397 total tackles, 40.5 TFLs, 15 sacks, 10 INTs
- Special Teams: Perfect on PATs and FGs; 1 blocked kick; 1 safety
Bellarmine at a Glance
The Knights (3-3) feature a balanced offense and disciplined defense that have kept them competitive throughout the season. Their front seven ranks among the best in the MSFL against the run, making Saturday's clash a true test of SMWC's offensive line and backfield efficiency.
What's at Stake
- Complete a perfect 6-0 regular season
- Earn the first-ever home victory over Bellarmine
- Celebrate the 2024 Senior Class in front of the home crowd
- Build momentum for another MSFL Championship run
Head coach
Blaine Powell enters the weekend with a
25-4 career record, continuing to guide one of the nation's elite sprint football programs.
Up Next
The Pomeroys and Knights will square off again in the
MSFL Playoff Semifinals on
Saturday, November 8, at
3 p.m. (ET) on
Jay Barrett Field. The winner will advance to the 2025 MSFL Championship Game.
