Football Ben Miles, Coordinator of Athletics Communication | HCAC

HCAC 2025 Football Notebook, Week 6

CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) football teams competed in week six of the 2025 season.
 
Around the League:
HCAC Football Schedule
 
Athletes of the Week: 
Offensive Player of the Week:
Marshall Kmiecik (Michigan City, Ind.) Franklin College | Quarterback | Sophomore - Kmiecik was nothing short of dominant in the Grizzlies' 48-21 rout of Manchester. The sophomore completed 21 of his 28 passes for a total of 382 yards, throwing five touchdown passes. He opened the game with a 14-yard run and five straight completions, the last of those a 29-yard TD, to set the tone in a one-sided win.

Defensive Player of the Week:
Luke Paff (Cincinnati, Ohio) Mount St. Joseph University | Linebacker | Junior - MSJ junior linebacker Luke Paff helped the team knock Bluffton off on Saturday, holding the Beavers to a single touchdown. For the game he registered a game-high 12 tackles with 9 solo stops. He added a pair of tackles for a loss, a sack and and quarterback hurry.

Special Teams Player of the Week:
Clint Hearne (Madison, Ind.) Hanover College | Kicker | Senior - Clint Hearne continued to show off his range, connecting for an impressive 52-yard field goal into the wind on Saturday, as the Panthers defeated Anderson 58-0. The senior tied his career-long set last season and currently ranks second among all NCAA Division III in longest field goal made this season. He finished the contest 5-of-6 on Points after attempts.
 
Notable Performances:
Offensive Players:
  • Eian Roudebush (New Palestine, Ind.) Hanover College | Quarterback | Junior - Eian Roudebush led the Panther offense that combined for an impressive 452 yards en route to a 58-0 win. The junior passed for 228 yards and four touchdowns, going 19-for-22. He also added a 26 yard rush.
  • Dallas De La Cruz (Findlay, Ohio) Mount St. Joseph University | Running Back | Junior - Lions junior running back Dallas De La Cruz helped to spark the Lions rushing attack that had been struggling coming into this week. He carried the ball 10 times for 70 yards (7.0 per carry) with a long of 13 yards. He also added a pair of catches for 34 yards including a 34-yard touchdown catch.
  • Alexander Marsteller (Lynchburg, Va.) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Running Back | Junior - Alexander Marsteller led the Rose-Hulman run game with 89 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also totaled two catches for 1 yard in the Fightin' Engineers loss to Baldwin Wallace.

Defensive Players:
  • Devonte Brown (Bloomington, Ind.) Franklin College | Defensive End | Senior - Brown was a disruptive force in Franklin's 48-21 victory over Manchester with back-to-back quarterback sacks just before halftime, the second of those causing a fumble. The senior also intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards.
  • Billy Blevins (Carmel, Ind.) Hanover College | Defensive Line | Senior -Blevins led the Panther defensive effort that held Anderson to just 127 total yards of offense en route to a 58-0 win. The senior had four total tackles including a sack and a tackle for loss for a combined two yards.
  • Tristan Stephens (Round Rock, Texas) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Denfensive Back | Junior - Tristan Stephens had the highlight of the day for the Rose-Hulman defense in their loss to Baldwin Wallace. In the fourth quarter, Stephens recovered a fumble and returned it all the way to the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown.

Special Teams Players:
  • Jace Mohr (Pittsboro, Ind.) Franklin College | Wide Receiver | Senior - Mohr helped break Manchester's back with a 33-yard punt return for a touchdown, giving the Grizzlies an early two-touchdown lead on the way to a 48-21 win. He also made an impact on offense with five receptions for 55 yards
  • Connor Yeager (Batavia, Ohio) Mount St. Joseph University | Punter | First Year - Lions freshman punter Connor Yeager hit only a single punt on Saturday but it was a 65-yard bomb that was downed inside the 20-yard line.
  • Trevor Saguto (Saint Charles, Mo.) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Kicker | Senior - Trevor Saguto totaled four punts for 138 yards, averaging 34.5 yards per punt with a long of 44 yards. Saguto went 2-3 on extra points and 0-1 on a 36-yard field goal attempt.
Looking Forward:
HCAC Football Standings