Pomeroys welcome Saint Francis for first football game at new on-campus facility

SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — A new chapter in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College athletics will begin Saturday afternoon when the Pomeroys play the first football game at McMahon Field.

SMWC will welcome the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) for a 1 p.m. EDT kickoff. The game will be broadcast on Indiana Sports Network and 95.3 FM, with John Montgomery on the call.

The matchup features two teams searching for their first victory of the season. The Pomeroys enter their historic home opener at 0-2, while Saint Francis is 0-3.

Saturday will mark SMWC's first home game since transitioning to the NAIA and joining the Mid-States Football Association, but the centerpiece of the afternoon will be the College's new multi-purpose football and soccer facility.

Named in recognition of donors Anita McMahon '61 and Michael McMahon, McMahon Field represents the final phase of SMWC's projects funded through Indiana's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative.

The College recently welcomed more than 100 supporters, community members and state legislators to campus for a press conference announcing the completion of the facility.

"As you look around, the locker room behind me, the outdoor and indoor equine arenas that you drove by to get here and the Sportsplex on campus near our academic buildings are the fruits of the collaboration of READI 1.0 dollars and transformative gifts from our donors," SMWC President Brennan J. Randolph said. "These projects have enhanced SMWC but have also helped to draw more visitors to the Wabash Valley and have provided new opportunities to bring the community out to our beautiful campus."

In July 2022, the Wabash River Regional Development Authority, representing a six-county region, announced that SMWC's proposal was among 23 projects selected to receive funding through the $20 million READI program administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

SMWC received a $1.5 million READI grant supporting athletic and equine facility expansions across campus.

"The work done here will help grow West Central Indiana, and we've already begun to see the impacts in our area with additional visitors, students and staff on this campus," said Josh Alsip, vice president of regional engagement for the West Central Indiana Partnership.

The project transformed SMWC's existing soccer game-day field into a combination football and soccer venue. McMahon Field also features the Schmidt Press Box, made possible through a donation from Jerry and Marcia Schmidt '72.

Additional READI-funded improvements included a sprint football practice field completed in 2022 and a locker room facility with showers and restrooms added in 2024. The locker room was later expanded to accommodate a full football roster.

McMahon Field will allow SMWC to host collegiate events as well as middle school and high school competitions, attracting additional teams, families and visitors to the Wabash Valley.

The facility will also serve the College's emerging women's flag football program. SMWC plans to add the sport in fall 2027, with competition beginning in spring 2028.

"Women's flag football is the nation's fastest-growing prep sport, with local teams being fielded at Terre Haute North, Terre Haute South and Northview next year," Associate Vice President for Athletics Kevin Lanke said. "SMWC looks to tap on the local and national interest in women's flag football to advance the College's overall outreach."

Lane Sluder '26, a four-year captain for the Pomeroy sprint football team, has been selected as the program's first head coach. Sluder earned a bachelor's degree in education from SMWC, is pursuing a Master of Sport Leadership at the College and has coached youth flag football for five years.

Pomeroys return home after challenging road start

SMWC opened its inaugural NAIA season with road games against Lawrence Tech and No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan.

The Pomeroys showcased their big-play ability in a 38-28 loss at Lawrence Tech on Sept. 5.

Quarterback Caden Gordon completed 14 of 26 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in his NAIA debut. Caelen Bell caught five passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, while Corbyn Cleveland finished with 91 yards and a score on two receptions.

After Lawrence Tech opened the scoring with a field goal, SMWC needed two plays to take its first lead. Gordon connected with Bell for a 72-yard touchdown, and Connor Wardlaw's extra point put the Pomeroys ahead 7-3.

The Blue Devils answered with a touchdown, but SMWC responded on the first play of its next possession when Gordon found Cleveland for an 80-yard score.

Gordon later delivered a 43-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Murray as SMWC scored twice and shut out Lawrence Tech during the fourth quarter. Derron Hazzard completed the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run.

The Pomeroys finished with 382 yards of total offense, including 337 through the air, and averaged 8 yards per play.

Adonimi Parker and Holtman Doades led the defense with seven tackles apiece, while Karver Queen recorded six stops. Treva Branch-Lewis and Hezron Kincey each registered a sack. Doades also averaged 43.7 yards on three punts and placed two inside the Lawrence Tech 20-yard line.

SMWC then faced one of the country's top teams Sept. 12, falling 68-0 at No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan.

The Wildcats finished with 601 yards of offense, including 404 rushing yards, while limiting the Pomeroys to 126 total yards. SMWC recorded 15 first downs and converted three of its four fourth-down attempts.

The Pomeroys created a second-half takeaway when Jaden Wakefield forced a fumble near the goal line and Vincent Dates recovered it at the SMWC 1-yard line.

Kylif Miller provided a spark on special teams with 102 yards on six kickoff returns, including a 31-yard return. Doades averaged 36.8 yards on four punts.

Following an open week, SMWC returns to competition looking to recapture the explosive offense it displayed at Lawrence Tech and earn its first NAIA victory.

Before making the move to the NAIA, SMWC established itself as one of the country's premier sprint football programs. The Pomeroys compiled a 28-4 record, completed an undefeated 8-0 season in 2025 and captured the Midwest Sprint Football League championship.

On Saturday, that history will meet the program's future at McMahon Field.

GAME INFORMATION

Opponent: University of Saint Francis (Ind.)
Records: SMWC 0-2; Saint Francis 0-3
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 1 p.m. EDT
Location: McMahon Field | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana
Broadcast: Indiana Sports Network
Radio: 95.3 FM, with John Montgomery on the