The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College sprint football team (6-0) looks to keep its perfect season alive on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Bellarmine University (3-4) in the Midwest Sprint Football League Playoff Semifinals. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. (ET) at Jay Barrett Field. The game will air live on the Indiana Sports Network, stream at SMWCAthletics.com, and be broadcast on 95.3 WNDI Radio with John Montgomery on the call.

The Pomeroys enter the postseason as the league's top seed after completing their second straight undefeated regular season and capturing the 2025 MSFL Regular Season Championship. The winner of Saturday's semifinal will advance to the MSFL Championship Game on November 15 at the home of the highest remaining seed, facing the winner of the Midway/Calumet matchup.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Bellarmine meet for the fifth time in series history, with the Pomeroys holding a 3-1 all-time advantage. SMWC defeated the Knights 35-7 last week in the regular-season finale to secure its second consecutive regular-season title.

The Pomeroys jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter of that game, sparked by a one-yard touchdown run from Derron Hazzard and a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Bryton Suggs. Quarterback Jeremiah Tosky directed a balanced attack with 177 passing yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Kadin Matzke from 25 yards and Kadin Witvoet from seven yards out. Special teams made the difference once again, as freshman Adonimi Parker returned a blocked punt 17 yards for a touchdown to break the game open. Kicker Connor Wardlaw remained perfect on the year, converting all five extra points.

Tosky has been the steady hand for an offense averaging over 400 yards per game, completing 109 of 188 passes (58 percent) for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's supported by a potent rushing tandem of Zy'Eiar White and Hazzard. White leads the team with 302 yards and five touchdowns on 53 carries (5.7 average), while Hazzard has added 259 yards and four scores on just 37 attempts (7.0 average). Patrick Perea (154 yards, one touchdown) and quarterback runs from Tosky and Xander Hunt have provided valuable depth behind a disciplined offensive line.

The receiving corps continues to spread the ball efficiently, with 16 players recording receptions this season. Corbyn Cleveland leads the way with 25 catches for 303 yards and six touchdowns, followed closely by Dameon Miller with 262 yards and two scores. Owen Huff has been the deep threat, averaging 24 yards per catch with two touchdowns, while veterans Kyle Vernelson and Matzke add consistent mid-range options.

On the defensive side, SMWC has been dominant from front to back, allowing just 2.8 yards per carry and 19 points per game. Parker anchors the unit with 44 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, two pass breakups, and two blocked kicks. Byran Simmons continues to be a ball hawk in the secondary with a league-best five interceptions, while Jake Skinner (28 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and John Taft (29 tackles, 4.0 TFL) hold the line up front. Peyton Metzger (23 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks) adds another burst off the edge, and linebacker Elias DeJesus provides veteran leadership in the middle. As a team, the Pomeroys have totaled 47.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, 13 interceptions, and three blocked kicks this season.

Special teams remain a game-changer for SMWC. Wardlaw is a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals, 37-for-38 on PATs, and averages 51.6 yards per kickoff. Punter Holtman Doades has been a weapon in the field-position battle, averaging 40.3 yards per punt with seven pinned inside the 20-yard line. Parker has made national highlight reels for his ability to disrupt opposing kick units, and the Pomeroys have scored a special-teams touchdown in three straight games.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods ranks among the MSFL's leaders in every major statistical category, averaging 400.2 yards of total offense per game while holding opponents to 297.7 yards. The Pomeroys have outscored opponents 273–116 on the year and lead the league in both scoring offense (45.5 ppg) and total defense (19.3 ppg allowed).
Under Head Coach Blaine Powell, now 26-4 overall, SMWC has reached four consecutive postseasons and three straight championship games. Powell has never lost a true road game in his tenure, and his Pomeroys carry that same level of composure and consistency into the postseason.

Saturday's semifinal offers another opportunity for SMWC to showcase its championship pedigree in front of the home crowd. A victory would send the Pomeroys back to the MSFL Championship Game for the fourth consecutive year and one step closer to another title.

Kickoff: Saturday, November 8 – 3 p.m. (ET)
Location: Jay Barrett Field – West Terre Haute, Ind.
Next Up: Winner advances to the 2025 MSFL Championship Game on November 15 at the home of the highest remaining seed.