Experienced roster returns to lead Saint Vincent football into 2022 campaign

For Saint Vincent football fans, there’s a lot to like about the Bearcats this year.

For starters, they return 17 of them from a team that made just its third all-time postseason appearance, a 38-19 loss to FDU-Florham at the ECAC James Lynah Bowl in Madison, N.J.

But it ended another sub-par season for Saint Vincent, which has avoided a non-losing record just twice (2-2 in 2020, 5-5 in 2016) since its most recent winning record in 2011.

That team, quarterbacked by current coach Aaron Smetanka, managed to go 6-5, despite a season-ending, 23-15 loss to Lebanon Valley at the ECAC Southwest Bowl in Annville, Pa.

“I feel like we have the pieces in place to continue to take steps forward this year,” said Smetanka, who is entering his fourth season as coach at Saint Vincent.

Smetanka on Saturday afternoon will get his first chance to see what the Bearcats can do in a game, when Stevenson visits Chuck Noll Field in Unity.

“Top-to-bottom, we’ll face good competition each week,” he said. “We’re just looking to get better. We made strides last year, going 5-5 heading into that bowl game. Now, we need to take it to the next level.”

Senior quarterback Brady Walker, a Gateway product, is close to breaking nearly all of Saint Vincent’s career passing records. He’s the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (4,200) and touchdowns (37) and ranks second — behind Smetanka — in completions and attempts.

“It’s his fourth year in the system now, and he’s got a good grasp of it,” Smetanka said. “He understands what we’re doing. Really, he’s like another coach out there because he’s able to just help the others around him.”

Could Walker follow Smetanka’s path into coaching after he graduates?

“There definitely are similarities,” Smetanka said. “I could see him getting into coaching. He would be good at it. He’s personable, and he knows the game.”

While Smetanka was a two-time, first-team, all-Presidents’ Athletic Conference quarterback for Saint Vincent in 2010 and ’11, Walker was named all-PAC honorable in each of the past two years.

He passed for 2,721 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2021, both the second-highest, single-season totals in conference history.

His favorite target last season was junior wide receiver Molayo Irefin, who ranked second in the PAC in receptions (68) and receiving yards (919) while leading the PAC and ranking fourth in NCAA Division III in all-purpose yards (175.3 average).

Meanwhile, the Saint Vincent defense, with nine returning starters, totaled a program-tying 18 interceptions, which ranked second in the PAC and 16th nationally.

Other returning starters on offense are junior tight end Scott Garlock, senior offensive lineman Austin Nicely (Blackhawk) and junior offensive linemen Nate Bettwy and C.J. Ciecierski (Franklin Regional).

On defense, the returning starters are junior defensive end Thomas Hedgepeth II, senior defensive tackle Desonio Powell, sophomore linebacker Joanes Polynice, junior linebacker Nathan Sullivan (Elizabeth Forward), graduate student safety Kyle Coombe, junior safety Derius May, sophomore safely Evan Brozenich and sophomore cornerbacks Marvelle Cromerdie (McKeesport) and Jaden Pratt.

Pratt and senior defensive back Ahmad Shaw logged three interceptions apiece last season.

Kicker Adam Koscielicki also returns.

“There’s a lot of good potential on defense,” Smetanka said. “We’ve got a good group of linebackers and defensive backs. They’re young. There’s been great competition in the secondary with about six guys getting after it. We won’t know who’ll come out on top until the very last minute.”

Walker will benefit from an experienced offensive line, Smetanka said, adding, “We’re definitely excited about that, excited about their growth. Obviously, health is a factor. If we can stay healthy during the course of the season, that can only help us to develop.”

Running back appears to be among the biggest question marks for Saint Vincent after the departure of a pair of veterans, including junior Julian Howard, the team’s leading rusher a year ago.

Howard, who gained 393 yards, split time with then-freshman Billy Beck, but neither were on the Bearcats’ 2022 roster.

Smetanka’s best options heading into the season appeared to be sophomore D.J. Gray and junior Joey Kremer (Shaler), who also saw time last year.

Saint Vincent opens its PAC schedule Sept. 10 against Washington & Jefferson, part of three consecutive home games to start the season.