2022 CSJ Pioneer Football League Football Preview

CSJ’s Predicted Order of Finish
1. Davidson |
2. San Diego |
3. St. Thomas |
4. Dayton |
5. Marist |
6. Morehead State |
7. Drake |
8. Stetson |
9. Valparaiso |
10. Butler |
11. Presbyterian |
2021 PFL NCAA Division I FCS Playoff Results
First Round
Kennesaw State 46 Davidson 21
The Pioneer Football League will begin its 30th season of play this year. Davidson has captured the last two automatic qualifying spots for the league in the postseason. The Wildcats look to make it three in a row. But San Diego, who tied Davidson in the standings last year, and were the dominate team from 2016-19 in winning this league, will look to reclaim the crown.
The league last year had a new team emerge as a possible threat to the title as well. St. Thomas, who is still transitioning to Division I, will not be eligible this season for the playoff berth but still will look to win the regular season title.
St. Thomas, who was the first school to transition from Division III to Division I, was a DIII powerhouse. The Tommies made the DIII playoffs nine times since 1990 and two national title games (2012 & 2015). With DIII as a non-scholarship division, it will not be much of stretch for the Tommies to win the lone football only DI conference in the future.
But for now in 2022, it looks like Davidson or San Diego will represent the league again in the playoffs.
Davidson led the FCS in rushing yards per game in the last two championship seasons. This should again be the case for the Wildcats as leading rushers Dylan Sparks, Coy Williams and Aris Hilliard are all back this fall. The trio combined for 2,335 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground last season. The Wildcat defense will be headed by possibly the best defensive player in the league in DE Jonathan Hammond
While Davidson looks to win the league with its offensive rushing attack, San Diego will look to its defense. USD has a current seven game winning streak coming into this season, which is the current FCS best and will have possibly the two best PFL defensive line duo in William Buck and Muhindo Kapapa leading the Toreros. Overall, USD returns 11 All-PFL standouts. The Toreros also got a potential boost in Iowa transfer QB Connor Kapisak to help its offensive side.
Dayton and Marist look like to dark horse contenders in the league. The Flyers will be headed by my PFL preseason offensive player of the year in AP/RB Jake Chisholm, while Marist will be headed by a defense that returns three All-PFL performers in LB Mike Arrington and safeties Clayborne Fields III and Teddy Wright.
The remainder of the league’s teams look to be rebuilding but a surprise always could happen.
Top Conference Games of 2022
The following five games I believe will go a long ways to determining the PFL winner this year. Again, St. Thomas will not be eligible for the playoffs but they will have a big say in who will be in the postseason with games against Marist, Davidson, and San Diego.
Oct. 1 – St. Thomas at Marist
Oct. 8 – Davidson at St. Thomas
Oct. 29 – San Diego at St. Thomas
Nov. 12 – Davidson at San Diego
Nov. 19 – Dayton at Davidson
Here is the countdown my PFL teams’ predictions with team information:
11. Presbyterian Blue Hose

Coach: Steve Englehart (1st Season, 0-0 @ PC, 70-49 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Tommy Crayton/Noland Genovese
Defensive Coordinator: Daniel Owen
Stadium: Bailey Memorial Stadium (6,500 capacity)
Location: Clinton, South Carolina
2021 Record: 2-9 (0-8 PFL)
Presbyterian – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 0 - 63Fortera Stadium Austin Peay 63, Presbyterian 0TV/Streaming: ESPN+ Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 13 - 21Bailey Memorial Stadium Presbyterian 21, Virginia-Lynchburg 13TV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 3:30 pmE.J. Whitmire Stadium Presbyterian at Western CarolinaTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 7:00 pmBailey Memorial Stadium Davidson at PresbyterianTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmJayne Stadium Presbyterian at Morehead StateTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmBailey Memorial Stadium Valparaiso at PresbyterianTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 5:00 pmTorero Stadium Presbyterian at San Diego |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmBailey Memorial Stadium St. Thomas (MN) at Presbyterian |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmTenney Stadium Presbyterian at Marist |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmBailey Memorial Stadium Dayton at Presbyterian |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSpec Martin Memorial Stadium Presbyterian at Stetson |
10.Butler Bulldogs

Coach: Mike Uremovich (1st Season, 0-0 @ Butler, 33-45 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Alex Barr
Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Knowles
Stadium: Butler Bowl (7,500 capacity)

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
2021 Record: 3-8 (1-7 PFL)
Butler – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 26 - 31Sellick Bowl Butler 31, St. Thomas (FL) 26 |
![]() ![]() 10 - 45Sellick Bowl Butler 45, Taylor 10 |
![]() ![]() 17 - 45Dykhouse Stadium South Dakota State 45, Butler 17Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmRichardson Stadium Butler at DavidsonTV/Streaming: Davidson Athletics |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSellick Bowl Dayton at ButlerTV/Streaming: FLO Football |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmBrown Field Butler at Valparaiso |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSellick Bowl Marist at ButlerTV/Streaming: FLO Football |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmSellick Bowl Morehead State at Butler |
![]() ![]() 4:00 pmTorero Stadium Butler at San Diego |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmDrake Stadium Butler at Drake |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmSellick Bowl St. Thomas (MN) at Butler |
9.Valparaiso Beacons

Coach: Landon Fox (4th Season, 9-20 @ Valpo & overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Will Fleming
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Dougherty
Stadium: Brown Field (5,000 capacity)

Location: Valparaiso, Indiana
2021 Record: 4-7 (4-4 PFL)
Valparaiso – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 17 - 20Brown Field Valparaiso 20, Indiana Wesleyan 17TV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 21 - 28Hancock Stadium Illinois State 28, Valparaiso 21 |
![]() ![]() 13 - 35Memorial Field (Dartmouth) Dartmouth 35, Valparaiso 13TV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmBrown Stadium San Diego at ValparaisoTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmBailey Memorial Stadium Valparaiso at PresbyterianTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmBrown Field Butler at Valparaiso |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmJayne Stadium Valparaiso at Morehead State |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmWelcome Stadium Valparaiso at Dayton |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmBrown Field St. Thomas (MN) at Valparaiso |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmTenney Stadium Valparaiso at MaristTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmBrown Field Drake at Valparaiso |
8. Stetson Hatters

Coach: Brian Young (2nd Season, 4-7 @ Stetson, 78-98 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Brian Sheppard
Defensive Coordinator: Jonathan Johnson
Stadium: Spec Martin Stadium (6,000 capacity)

Location: DeLand, Florida
2021 Record: 4-7 (2-6 PFL)
Stetson – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 14 - 24Spec Martin Memorial Stadium Stetson 24, Concordia (MI) 14 |
![]() ![]() 14 - 45Spec Martin Memorial Stadium Stetson 45, Lousiana Christian 14 |
![]() ![]() 39 - 14Spec Martin Memorial Stadium Princeton 39, Stetson 14Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSpec Martin Memorial Stadium Morehead State at StetsonTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() CanceledTorero Stadium Stetson at San Diego |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSpec Martin Memorial Stadium Marist at StetsonTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmWelcome Stadium Stetson at Dayton |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSpec Martin Memorial Stadium Drake at Stetson |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmRichardson Stadium Stetson at DavidsonTV/Streaming: Davidson Athletics |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium Stetson at St. Thomas (MN) |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSpec Martin Memorial Stadium Presbyterian at Stetson |
7.Drake Bulldogs
Coach: Todd Stepsis (4th Season, 10-17 @ Drake & overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Adam Gajo/Nate Thompson
Defensive Coordinators: Al Smith
Stadium: Drake Stadium (14,557 capacity)

Location: Des Moines, Iowa
2021 Record: 2-9 (1-7 PFL)
Drake – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 14 - 56Fargodome North Dakota State 56, Drake 14Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 17 - 14Drake Stadium Missouri S&T 17, Drake 14 (OT)TV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 14 - 42Kibbie Dome Idaho 42, Drake 14Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmDrake Stadium Marist at DrakeTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmWelcome Stadium Drake at DaytonTV/Streaming: Dayton Flyers Facebook |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmDrake Stadium San Diego at Drake |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium Drake at St. Thomas (MN) |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmDrake Stadium Davidson at Drake |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSpec Martin Memorial Stadium Drake at Stetson |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmDrake Stadium Butler at Drake |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmBrown Field Drake at Valparaiso |
6.Morehead State Eagles

Coach: Rob Tenyer (10th Season, 41-58 @ MSU & overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Rob Tenyer
Defensive Coordinator: Andrew Strobel
Stadium: Jayne Stadium (15,000 capacity)

Location: Morehead, Kentucky
2021 Record: 7-4 (6-2 PFL)
Morehead State – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 13 - 63Five Star Stadium Mercer 63, Morehead State 13Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 13 - 63Bobcat Stadium Montana State 63, Morehead State 13Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 6:00 pmJayne Stadium Kentucky Christian at Morehead StateTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSpec Martin Memorial Stadium Morehead State at StetsonTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmJayne Stadium Presbyterian at Morehead StateTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmRichardson Stadium Morehead State at DavidsonTV/Streaming: Davidson Athletics |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmJayne Stadium Valparaiso at Morehead State |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmSellick Bowl Morehead State at Butler |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmJayne Stadium Marist at Morehead State |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmWelcome Stadium Morehead State at Dayton |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmJayne Stadium San Diego at Morehead State |
5. Marist Red Foxes

Coach: Jim Parady (31st Season, 147-157-1 @ Marist & overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Jake Dembow
Defensive Coordinator: Scott Rumsey
Stadium: Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field (5,000 capacity)

Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
2021 Record: 5-5 (5-3 PFL)
Marist – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 43 - 12Tenney Stadium Georgetown 43, Marist 12 |
![]() ![]() 6:00 pmTenney Stadium Columbia at MaristTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmDrake Stadium Marist at DrakeTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 38 - 24Tenney Stadium St. Thomas (MN) 38, Marist 24TV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSpec Martin Memorial Stadium Marist at StetsonTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmTenney Stadium Dayton at MaristTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSellick Bowl Marist at ButlerTV/Streaming: FLO Football |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmTenney Stadium Presbyterian at Marist |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmJayne Stadium Marist at Morehead State |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmTenney Stadium Valparaiso at MaristTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmChristy Matthewson Stadium Marist at Bucknell |
4. Dayton Flyers

Coach: Rick Chamberlin (15th Season, 99-45 @ UD & overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Josh Hendershot
Defensive Coordinator: Tee Overman
Stadium: Welcome Stadium (11,000 capacity)

Location: Dayton, Ohio
2021 Record: 6-4 (5-3 PFL)
Dayton – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 22 - 20Joe Walton Stadium Dayton 22, Robert Morris 20 |
![]() ![]() 16 - 49Stambaugh Stadium Youngstown State 49, Dayton 16Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 3 - 46Welcome Stadium Dayton 46, Kentucky State 3TV/Streaming: Daytib Flyers Football |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmWelcome Stadium Drake at DaytonTV/Streaming: Dayton Flyers Facebook |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmSellick Bowl Dayton at ButlerTV/Streaming: FLO Football |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmTenney Stadium Dayton at MaristTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmWelcome Stadium Stetson at Dayton |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmWelcome Stadium Valparaiso at Dayton |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmBailey Memorial Stadium Dayton at Presbyterian |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmWelcome Stadium Morehead State at Dayton |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmRichardson Stadium Dayton at Davidson |
3. St. Thomas (MN) Tommies
Coach: Glenn Caruso (14th Season, 133-24 @ UST, 139-36 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Wallie Kuchinski
Defensive Coordinator: Bobby Jay
Stadium: O’Shaughnessy Stadium (5,025 capacity)

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
2021 Record: 7-3 (6-2 PFL)
St. Thomas (MN) – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 13 - 44Eccles Coliseum Southern Utah 44, St. Thomas (MN) 13TV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 6 - 32O'Shaughnessy Stadium St. Thomas (MN) 32, Michigan Tech 6TV/Streaming: Tommie Sports |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium Lincoln (CA) at St. Thomas (MN)TV/Streaming: Tommie Sports |
![]() ![]() 38 - 24Tenney Stadium St. Thomas (MN) 38, Marist 24TV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium Davidson at St. Thomas (MN) |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium Drake at St. Thomas (MN) |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmBailey Memorial Stadium St. Thomas (MN) at Presbyterian |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium San Diego at St. Thomas (MN) |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmBrown Field St. Thomas (MN) at Valparaiso |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium Stetson at St. Thomas (MN) |
![]() ![]() 12:00 pmSellick Bowl St. Thomas (MN) at Butler |
2.San Diego Toreros

Coach: Dale Lindsey (9th Season, 75-25 @ USD & overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Cory White
Defensive Coordinator: Bobby Jay
Stadium: Torero Stadium (6,000 capacity)

Location: San Diego, California
2021 Record: 7-4 (7-1 PFL)
San Diego – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 0 - 58Torero Stadium San Diego 58, La Verne 0 |
![]() ![]() 27 - 28Alex G. Spanos Stadium Cal Poly 28, San Diego 27Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 10:00 pmUC Davis Health Stadium San Diego at UC DavisTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmBrown Stadium San Diego at ValparaisoTV/Streaming: ESPN3 |
![]() ![]() CanceledTorero Stadium Stetson at San Diego |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmDrake Stadium San Diego at Drake |
![]() ![]() 5:00 pmTorero Stadium Presbyterian at San Diego |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium San Diego at St. Thomas (MN) |
![]() ![]() 4:00 pmTorero Stadium Butler at San Diego |
![]() ![]() 5:00 pmTorero Stadium Davidson at San Diego |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmJayne Stadium San Diego at Morehead State |
1. Davidson Wildcats

Coach: Scott Abell (Third Season, 26-15 @ Davidson, 65-39 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Vince Much
Defensive Coordinator: Jon Berlin
Stadium: Richardson Stadium (6,000 capacity)

Location: Davidson, North Carolina
2021 Record: 8-3 (7-1 PFL)
Davidson – 2022 Season
![]() ![]() 17 - 35JSU Stadium Jacksonville State 35, Davidson 17Highlights: Available |
![]() ![]() 17 - 37Richardson Stadium Davidson 37, Barton 17 |
![]() ![]() 7:00 pmRichardson Stadium St. Andrews at DavidsonTV/Streaming: Davidson Athletics |
![]() ![]() 7:00 pmBailey Memorial Stadium Davidson at PresbyterianTV/Streaming: ESPN+ |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmRichardson Stadium Butler at DavidsonTV/Streaming: Davidson Athletics |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmO'Shaughnessy Stadium Davidson at St. Thomas (MN) |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmRichardson Stadium Morehead State at DavidsonTV/Streaming: Davidson Athletics |
![]() ![]() 2:00 pmDrake Stadium Davidson at Drake |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmRichardson Stadium Stetson at DavidsonTV/Streaming: Davidson Athletics |
![]() ![]() 5:00 pmTorero Stadium Davidson at San Diego |
![]() ![]() 1:00 pmRichardson Stadium Dayton at Davidson |
CSJ 2022 Preseason PFL Players of the Year
Offense

Defense

Jonathan Hammond, DE, Davidson, Jr.
Special Teams
Brian Bartholomew, PK, Valparaiso, Jr.
CSJ 2022 Preseason PFL Team
Pos. | Player | School | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | Hometown |
OFFENSE | ||||||
WR | Sam Bubonics | Dayton | 5-11 | 177 | RSo. | Solon, Ohio |
WR | Nazeviah Burris | Stetson | 6-0 | 180 | So. | Union, S.C. |
WR | Vance Jefferson | San Diego | 6-0 | 185 | So. | Poway, Calif. |
QB | Alexander Piccirilli | Stetson | 6-4 | 225 | Gr. | Jupiter, Fla. |
TE | Dominic Carlucci | Stetson | 6-2 | 230 | RSo. | Raleigh, N.C. |
RB | Hope Adebayo | St. Thomas | 5-8 | 184 | So. | Inver Grove Heights, Minn. |
RB | Jake Chisholm | Dayton | 5-9 | 191 | Sr. | Union, Ky. |
RB | Dylan Sparks | Davidson | 6-0 | 209 | Sr. | Centreville, Va. |
FB | Coy Williams | Davidson | 5-11 | 213 | RSr. | Lumberton, Texas |
A-P | Jake Chisholm | Dayton | 5-9 | 191 | Sr. | Union, Ky. |
OL | Aaron Byrd | Valparaiso | 6-4 | 305 | RSr. | Bradley, Ill. |
OL | Beck Kipperman | Davidson | 6-2 | 259 | Jr. | Round Rock, Texas |
OL | Finley Lecky | San Diego | 6-1 | 270 | Jr. | Chandler, Ariz. |
OL | Cam Marriott | Morehead State | 6-3 | 300 | Jr. | Redlands, Calif. |
OL | Brian Stevens | Dayton | 6-2 | 290 | RSo. | Milford, Ohio |
OL | Matt Weimann | St. Thomas | 6-3 | 312 | Sr. | Oakdale, Minn. |
DEFENSE | ||||||
DL | William Buck | San Diego | 6-0 | 285 | RJr. | Sacramento, Calif. |
DL | Jonathan Hammond | Davidson | 6-2 | 208 | Sr. | Atlanta, Ga. |
DL | Muhindo Kapapa | San Diego | 6-2 | 275 | Gr. | Fairfield, Calif. |
DL | Fermon Reid | Stetson | 6-0 | 254 | Gr. | Naples, Fla. |
LB | David Ambagtsheer | San Diego | 6-0 | 220 | RSr. | San Diego, Calif. |
LB | Mike Arrington | Marist | 5-11 | 212 | RSr. | Ashburn, Va. |
LB | Majeste Hansberry | Stetson | 6-2 | 215 | RSr. | Atlanta, Ga. |
LB | Luke Herzog | St. Thomas | 6-2 | 229 | So. | Mendota Heights, Minn. |
LB | Ben Schmiesing | Dayton | 6-1 | 232 | Gr. | Piqua, Ohio |
DB | Clay Fields | Marist | 5-11 | 190 | RSr. | Franklin, N.J. |
DB | Luke Glenna | St. Thomas | 5-11 | 188 | Sr. | Edina, Minn. |
DB | Cooper Krezek | Morehead State | 6-0 | 200 | RSo. | Kansas City, Mo. |
DB | Amir Wallace | San Diego | 6-1 | 180 | Sr. | Fairfield, Calif. |
DB | Teddy Wright | Marist | 6-0 | 212 | Gr. | Sharon Hill, Pa. |
SPECIAL TEAMS | ||||||
PK | Brian Bartholomew | Valparaiso | 5-11 | 160 | RSr. | Sugar Grove, Ill. |
P | Shane Dunning | Drake | 6-0 | 175 | Jr. | Muskego, Wis. |
P | Kolby Gartner | St. Thomas | 6-2 | 217 | Jr. | St. Michael, Minn. |
RS | Chuck Maxwell | Valparaiso | 5-5 | 140 | Jr. | Elkhart, Ind. |
LS | Brady McKnight | Morehead State | 6-1 | 200 | So. | Stephens City, Va. |

Originally from LaMoure, North Dakota, Kent is a 1996 graduate of North Dakota State University. His prior writing experience is over 15 years having previously worked with D2football.com, I-AA.org, and College Sporting News before coming to College Sports Journal in 2016. His main focus is college football is the Missouri Valley Football Conference within the Division I FCS. And in 2017, he began also to look at the FBS Group of Five conferences of the American Athletic, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt.
Reach him at this email or click below: