The Pioneer Football League (PFL) is bracing for another thrilling season, and the team to watch is undoubtedly the University of St. Thomas Tommies. Fresh off a remarkable 2022 season where they secured their inaugural conference title, the Tommies are not just expected to contend, but to lead the pack in 2023. This anticipation isn’t merely fan optimism; it’s the consensus among the PFL coaches themselves.
In the recently released PFL Preseason Coaches’ Poll, St. Thomas emerged as the overwhelming favorite. Garnering 98 out of a possible 100 points, the Tommies received eight first-place votes out of ten, underscoring the strong belief in their continued success. While Davidson College, who finished second in the poll, and the University of San Diego each secured a first-place vote, the overall sentiment clearly points towards St. Thomas as the team to beat in the Pioneer Football League this year. It’s worth noting that coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams, adding weight to these predictions.
The foundation for this high expectation is firmly rooted in the Tommies’ exceptional performance in 2022. Their first PFL title in only their second year in the conference was a testament to their dominant play on both sides of the ball. The statistics from the 2022 season speak volumes: St. Thomas outscored their opponents by a significant margin, 358-189, and finished with an impressive 10-1 overall record. Their Pioneer Football League record was unblemished at 8-0. Against PFL teams, their dominance was even more pronounced, amassing 1398 yards of total offense while their defense recorded 729 tackles, leaving no doubt about their prowess within the conference.
Adding to the excitement surrounding the 2023 season is the return of a significant number of key players from the championship-winning team. Of the 16 players who earned All-PFL honors in 2022, nine are set to return this season. This includes standout junior wide receiver Andrew McElroy, who was unanimously selected for the First Team All-Conference in 2022. Joining McElroy are fellow First Team All-Conference honoree junior Jonathan Bunce, and other All-Conference players such as Shawn Shipman, Alec Rasmussen, Yusef Leak, Shea Albrecht, Luke Herzog, Jason Laliberte, and Grif Wurtz. The return of such a talented and decorated core strengthens the Tommies’ position as frontrunners in the Pioneer Football League.
Tommie fans eager to see this predicted success unfold won’t have to wait long. The 2023 season officially kicks off on Saturday, September 2nd, when St. Thomas hosts Black Hills State University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Central Time in St. Paul, Minnesota. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on the St. Thomas Tommies to see if they can live up to the hype and once again conquer the Pioneer Football League.
