By Quincy Burns

September 1, 2024

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Pioneer Football League announced its Players of the Week following opening action across the league.

Butler quarterback Reagan Andrew was responsible for four touchdowns in a debut victory against Upper Iowa to claim the league’s offensive award. San Diego defensive back Matt Ballentine and Dayton’s Gideon Lampron’s defensive efforts sparked their respective teams to victories against FCS foes to share the league’s weekly defensive honor. Stetson kicker Daniel Holbrook scored 11 points in Stetson’s win and picked up the special teams award.

Offensive

Reagan Andrew, Butler (So., QB, St. Louis, Missouri)

Making his first collegiate start, Andrew needed only one half and two third-quarter drives to score three touchdowns and run for another as Butler secured a 40-7 victory against Upper Iowa on Saturday. He completed 5-of-10 passes to amass 119 yards and three touchdown passes. On his final action of the day, he tacked on a 22-yard touchdown run to cap a five-carry, 32-yard rushing day.

Others Nominated

·        Dayton wide receiver Gavin Lochow (Dayton) caught a touchdown and passed for another in Dayton’s 18.10 win against St. Francis (Pa.). He finished with eight receptions for 55 yards, and his touchdown pass went for 27 yards.

·        Stetson quarterback Brady Meitz completed 26-of-38 passes for 338 yards and three second-half touchdowns to help Stetson push past Ave Maria, 41-3.

Co-Defensive

Matt Ballentine, San Diego (Grad., DB, Santa Clarita, California)

Ballentine’s pick six to start the fourth quarter proved the difference maker as San Diego downed Cal Poly, 27-21, on Saturday. With the Toreros hanging on to a tenuous 17-14 lead at the start of the fourth quarter, Ballentine intercepted a pass at the Cal Poly 40-yard line and returned it for a touchdown, extending the lead to 24-14. He also had two pass breakups and a tackle to lead a San Diego defense that forced three turnovers and turned two of those takeaways into defensive touchdowns.

Gideon Lampron, Dayton (RSo., LB, LaGrange, Ohio)

Lampron was all over the place in Dayton’s 18-10 victory against St. Francis (Pa.). He had a game-best 11 tackles, including three for loss and a sack, In addition, Lampron forced two fumbles and recovered another. One forced fumble led to a short field and, ultimately, a Dayton touchdown. Lampron then pushed the Dayton advantage to 9-0 when he burst through the line to make a tackle in the end zone for a safety.

Others Nominated

·        Butler linebacker Adam Sturtz finished with seven tackles, including two for loss and a sack, in a 40-7 victory against Upper Iowa.

·        Morehead State safety Matthew McClelland had 11 tackles, seven in the first half, to pace an Eagles defense that held Central State to 247 yards in a 17-10 victory.

·        Presbyterian linebacker Alex Herriott posted seven tackles, including one for loss, in a loss at Mercer. He finished the game with 279 career tackles, moving into a tie for third all-time at Presbyterian.

·        Stetson linebacker Martin Andrew notched seven tackles, including 2.5 for loss, in a 41-3 victory against Ave Maria.

Special Teams

Daniel Holbrook, Stetson (So., K, Annapolis, Maryland)

Holbrook was responsible for all the Hatters’ first-half scoring, connecting on field goals of 33 and 45 yards to help Stetson down Ava Maria 41-3 on Saturday. His second field goal came at the halftime gun and gave Stetson a 6-3 lead. He also had five PATs, finishing with 11 points, and averaged 59.3 yards on his seven kickoffs.

Others Nominated

·        Dayton punter Logan Forcum averaged 49.6 yards on his five punts, with two downed inside the 20-yard line in an 18-10 victory against St. Francis (Pa.). He booted a 75-yard punt and made a key tackle on a snap over his head to prevent a St. Francis scoop-and-score.

·        Presbyterian running back Zach Switzer paced all Division I kick returners with a program-record 191 yards on eight kick returns at Mercer. Six of his returns went for more than 20 yards, and he broke off returns of 45 and 40 yards in the game.

·        San Diego kicker Adam Lehman hit two field goals (35 and 39 yards) and connected on three PATs to help the Toreros down Cal Poly 27-21 on Saturday. He also averaged 64.8 yards on his six kickoffs, five going for touchbacks.

·        Valparaiso punter Sam Johnson averaged 48.4 yards on his eight punts, including four punts of 50-plus yards in a loss at Northern Iowa.

Freshman

Please note that the PFL does not officially recognize a Freshman of the Week. The following is a nomination for the national freshman of the week.

Bailey Dalton, Stetson (Fr., WR, Buhl, Alabama)

In his collegiate debut, Dalton caught eight passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns in Stetson’s victory against Ave Maria. It was the seventh-best single game by a Stetson wide receiver since the program’s revival. He had five receptions of 20-plus yards, including a 22-yard touchdown reception just two plays after he recovered a fumble on an Ave Maria kickoff return.

Others Nominated

·        Dayton quarterback Drew VanVleet completed 15-of-22 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in Dayton’s 18-10 victory against St. Francis (Pa.).

·        Morehead State kick returner Damin Green began his career with 25- and 39-yard kick returns in the Eagles’ victory against Central State.

COURTESY PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE