2022 Pioneers Football Season Preview

The Alfred State Pioneers football team looks to kick off the 2022 season, looking to continue building on what has been steady improvement over the past few seasons. After achieving six overall and five Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) wins. Both of those win totals are the program's most during the NCAA era.

2021 Review

Record: 6-4

ECFC Record: 5-1

Highlights: ECFC Offensive Player of the Year (Aaron Jenkins), 16 All-ECFC selections, 29 ECFC Academic Honorees

Offense

Ben Ba (Park East) the Junior wideout will look to build on what was a great season for the Pioneer offense. As a captain on the Alfred State Pioneers, he will look to lead by example on and off the field. He will be assisted by multiple All-ECFC selections, including Roman Napoleon (Allegany Limestone) who led the offense in receiving yards with 783, and Jake Palmer (Voorheesville) the All-ECFC halfback who racked up over 550 all-purpose yards in 2021.

Defense

Junior defensive back and captain Rylie Van Fleet (Maine Endwell) will look to be a leader on the defensive end for the Pioneers. Ready to build on an outstanding year, where he racked up 63 tackles and four interceptions. Along with him, Nuhsar Mike (Syracuse/Leadership Academy) an all-ECFC selection, also returns having recorded 77 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2021. He will surely be a force on the defensive side of the ball.

Schedule Overview

Season/Home Opener: vs. Misericordia (Sat., Sep. 03, 1 p.m.)

Conference Opener: vs. Anna Maria (Sat., Oct. 01, 1 p.m.)

The Pioneers have a ten-game slate, with six of them to be played at Pioneer Stadium. They open with back-to-back home games. Welcoming Misericordia to open on Sept. 03 and Rochester (N.Y.) under the lights on Sept. 10. They then travel to Husson for a game on Sept. 17, and then end Sept. against Defiance at home on Sept. 24.

The Blue and Gold then open up conference play at Anna Maria on Oct. 01. The Pioneers will play through Nov. 12 finishing the regular season against Maritime (N.Y.).

Pioneers Home Games

Sept. 03 vs. Misericordia 1 p.m.

Sept. 10 vs. Rochester (N.Y.) 6 p.m.

Sept. 24 vs. Defiance 12 p.m.

Oct. 08 vs. Keystone 1 p.m.

Oct. 22 vs. Dean 12 p.m.

Nov. 5 vs. Gallaudet 12 p.m.