UTICA, NY - Get ready for this weekend's Party at The Gaet'! Pioneer football is back at Gaetano Stadium this weekend for the team's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game. This year, the matchup features a regional rival in Morrisville, as Utica faces a fellow Central New York squad with the Mustangs coming to town. This contest will be the Pioneers' last game before their bye week and will provide an opportunity for the team to get back in the win column. As the 2025 campaign crosses into its second half, get caught up on all things Utica football with this week's preview down below:
 
This Saturday's showdown is slated for a 12:00 PM start on ABM Field at Gaetano Stadium.
 
Looking for a ticket? All tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the gate with cash only.
 
You can stream Saturday's game by heading to the following link: https://www.empire8network.com/utica/
 
Interested spectators can also view live statistics by heading to this link:
https://uticapioneers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
 
Highlights will be available on our athletics YouTube either late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. Click the links below to get caught up on game highlights from the previous Utica football games:
 
Week One at W&J: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1uwz6mKYyM&t=531s
 
Week Two vs RPI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktlJmXAs8HY&t=9s
 
Week Three at Hobart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNq7-fe0Dmo&t=6s
 
Week Four vs Alfred State: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJTkmX2tGK0&t=11s
 
Week Five at Cortland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fncsbpbvSg0&t=8s
 
This Week's Game Sponsor: This week's game is sponsored by Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy, Sullivan Contracting, and Strategic Financial. This week, the Pioneers host Morrisville for the Breast Cancer Awareness Game, helping to promote the Men Wear Pink campaign and breast cancer research. All of the 50-50 raffle proceeds will go to benefit the Men Wear Pink campaign and the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, so make sure to stop by and purchase a 50-50 ticket!
 
Pioneer football head coach Blaise Faggiano has also partnered with the Men Wear Pink of Central New York program, helping to raise money for cancer research and fighting to find a cure. For more information about how you can support Blaise in his role as a Men Wear Pink ambassador, please click this link: Blaise Faggiano: Men Wear Pink Ambassador
 
For more information about each other entity, click the links below:
 
American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society Website
 
Men Wear Pink Campaign: https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/men-wear-pink.html
 
Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy: Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy – A Far From Ordinary Approach To Risk®
 
Sullivan Contracting: Sullivan Contracting Address
 
Strategic Financial: Strategic Financial Services
 
Week Four Recap: This past Saturday, the Pioneers traveled down to SUNY Cortland looking to upset the Red Dragons and wrestle away the reigning champions' hold on the conference title. In a game that was nearly equal in every category, the one category that fell the Red Dragons' way was the turnover margin, as the hosts held onto the ball and managed to cause two Pioneer turnovers and two failed fourth down conversions in a 28-13 Cortland win.
 
Overall, the competitiveness of the matchup can be seen in each team's offensive stats, as Cortland gathered one yard more of offense (394-393) and one more first down (22-21) than the orange and blue. Although the teams operated their offense in extremely different ways, with the Pioneers attacking primarily through the air and the Red Dragons mounting an all-out rushing offensive, both teams moved the ball well. It boiled down to the Pioneers' two turnovers and failed opportunities on both potential fourth-down conversions, as those factors contributed to the team's 33.3% redzone conversion percentage. A
 
All in all, the Pioneers had a great offensive showing despite those costly mishaps in crunch time, as they moved the ball effortlessly at times, even producing an 8-13 (61.5%) third-down conversion tally. Heavily contributing to the team's offensive success and third-down production were top targets Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) and Antonio Cianfarani (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville), as both players piled up over 100 yards receiving. Each player also received recognition following the contest, which you can find more information on in the sections below.
 
Another interesting note: even against a rush-dominant Cortland offense that was formed to dominate possession, the Pioneers held the ball for nearly as long, only losing the possession battle by one minute and some change. In the end, it was a few high-pressure plays that would ultimately decide the contest, with the Pioneers proving to be on Cortland's level, and looking very much like a big threat to the Empire 8's top dogs. 
 
Three Big Things: Aside from the offensive productivity, the Pioneers also played well on defense during the contest, marking another solid outing for the team's rush defense. After shutting down Hobart's star running back EJ Taylor in the second half of week three, the team brought that momentum into last weekend's matchup, as a strong defensive front headlined by Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston), Nicholas DeForrest (Rome, NY/Holland Patent), and Mason Mascari (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) stood toe-to-toe with the Red Dragons' rushing duo of Mike Rescigno and Ethan Gallo. Against Gallo in particular, the Pioneers held the Red Dragon running back to just 49 net yards on 14 attempts, good for an average of just 3.5 yards per rush - a win for the defense. Thomas led the way with a game-high 10 tackles (four solo), grabbing those tallies while supporting the defensive line duo of DeForrest and Mascari. DeForrest grabbed six tackles (three solo), while Mascari matched him with six of his own (four solo). However, the biggest defensive standout of the afternoon was second-string strong safety Joseph Gentile (Utica, NY/Proctor), who stepped up to the occasion and logged an outstanding six solo tackles and two forced fumbles. Gentile highlighted the Pioneers' depth, something that was on full display during Saturday's action.
 
Gentile's excellent effort in relief of Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) showcased the team's 'next man up' mentality, as the Pioneers have seen different players play big roles each and every week. Gentile was the most recent example, with his eight total tackles ranking second on the team behind Thomas. Gentile's two forced fumbles also gave the team a chance to get back in the game and level the turnover margin. The Utica native wasn't the only player who stepped up on Saturday, though, as the Pioneer receiving corps continued to prove its deep pool of talent, with Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) stepping up in a big way.
 
The Red Dragon defense schemed well against the Pioneers' top pass catcher, Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), during Saturday's action. However, two other players were ready to step in, with one of them having the top tight end performance of the week in Division III football. Despite the Pioneers' pass-oriented offense, they continued to embark on long possessions, something they can continue to utilize to great effect in the coming weeks. The Pioneers have averaged just over 33 minutes of possession per game this season, also averaging an outstanding two minutes and 47 seconds per offensive possession as one of Division III's top pass offenses. The receiving corps has been a big part of this, and two players of note helped the team continue their offensive production in week five…
 
Frederick File: Against Cortland, Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) registered as the game's top receiver, ending Palmer's run of three-straight outings as the team's top receiver while also securing a spot on the D3football.com Team of the Week for his performance. Frederick, the Section III product, caught nine passes for 135 yards, with both of those marks coming in as game-highs. In addition, Frederick caught the Pioneers' first touchdown of the game, a 17-yard touchdown pass in the heart of the defense. The tight end proved his remarkable versatility on Saturday, lining up in a variety of different spots, but producing the same result no matter the package or coverage. His ability to line up out wide, in the slot, and also attached to the line, made him the Pioneers' primary weapon against the reigning conference champion. He also contributed to many chunk plays, utilizing his superior athleticism to make grabs of 13, 16, 17, 22, and 38 yards. To cap it all off, nearly all of Frederick's receptions produced first downs. The Pioneer senior had one of the best weeks in all of Division III for the tight end position.


 
Frederick has the third most receiving yards on the team this season, also ranking third on the Empire 8 receiving yards list, as the Pioneers hold all three of the top spots. He's racked up 362 yards on 29 receptions, good for 72.4 yards per game. He is also tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with another player who had an outstanding week against Cortland: Antonio Cianfarani (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville)
 
1K Cianfarani: Cianfarani was the other Pioneer receiver who managed to rack up over 100 receiving yards last week against the Red Dragons, as the Pioneer captain had a seven-catch, 112-yard outing, also grabbing the second touchdown of the game on a 50-yard highlight. With that 100+ yard performance, Cianfarani also surpassed the 1,000 career receiving yards mark, now possessing 1,101 total receiving yards in his Pioneer career. The wideout has also put together 300+ receiving yard seasons in each of his last three years, already surpassing the 300-yard mark in just five games this year.


 
He currently ranks second on the team and in the Empire 8 for receiving yards, having 24 catches for 385 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 77 receiving yards per game.
 
The Pioneers also have another player on the verge of reaching 1,000 career receiving yards, as Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) is just 106 yards away from reaching the milestone as well. Palmer currently leads the team and conference with 502 yards.
 
Orange and Blue Archive - vs Morrisville: This weekend, the Pioneers will battle the Mustangs in the continuation of a series that's currently equal, with both teams having five wins each over the 10 total games played since the first matchup in 2014. These two teams have met every year since 2014, as 2015 marked Morrisville's entry into the Empire 8. Since 2014, the series has been a tale of runs, with each team owning a streak of multiple wins in a row. First, it was the Pioneers, who snagged back-to-back victories in 2015 and 2016, then, the Mustangs had a run of three-straight from 2017-2019, before the Pioneers retook the series lead with a three-win response from 2021-2023. There have been many notable matchups and moments in the history of the rivalry, even dating back to the first matchup in 2014, a 52-41 thriller in Morrisville.
 
In 2016, Hall of Famer Nicodemus Gambill recorded a 99-yard kick return touchdown to tie the score at 21 apiece late in the game, before Pioneer wideout Imani Vincent scored with 6:43 remaining in the game to seal a Utica victory and help the team improve to 3-0.
 
In 2017, the Pioneers, after facing a 17-0 halftime deficit, rattled off 35 second-half points in a comeback bid that fell just short, as the Mustangs escaped with a 37-35 win in the season finale. Anthony Bierria-Anderson nabbed an 80-yard pick-6 with less than five minutes left, giving the team a chance to tie the game at 37 pending a successful two-point conversion. However, after an unsuccessful conversion, and a missed 35-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, Morrisville escaped with the victory
 
In 2019, the two teams played to a near-standstill, as it took two overtimes to decide the contest in a 54-51 Morrisville win. Maki Medici hit a late field goal to send the game to the extra period, where the two teams traded touchdowns on their respective opening possessions. Utica would then hit a field goal, before a pass interference call in the endzone during Morrisville's response would prompt a walkoff one-yard rushing score.
 
In 2022, a touchdown on the final play of the game would give the Pioneers a 20-17 win, helping them continue their impressive season. Braeden Zenelovic would find Joey Nare with no time remaining to help the team move to 7-1 on the season, the program's best ever mark through eight games.
 
Last season, the Pioneers had a chance to tie the game on the final play of regulation, as Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) somehow found Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Institute of Technology) in a crowded endzone to make it 28-26 Morrisville. Before the ensuing conversion, the Pioneers were pushed back due to a penalty, and then couldn't convert the two-point try as they fell to 3-3 on the year.
 
Preparing for the Mustangs: After an outstanding 2024 campaign which included a 7-4 record and the Mustangs' second-ever bowl victory in a 21-18 win over Stevenson, the Mustangs traction has completely shifted. The big reason for this change of pace is the graduation of a strong senior class that created one of the best defensive units in school history, along with the departure of that roster's architect. Head Coach Ed Raby Jr. left Morrisville this past offseason, joining fellow Empire 8 side St. John Fisher, who is currently playing at a very high level. Because of this coaching change, new Mustang manager Eric Jendryaszek is still figuring out a formula in his first season at the helm.
 
The Mustangs are currently 0-5 on the season, and hold an 0-2 ledger in Empire 8 play. After close losses against Kean and Rochester in their opening two tilts, the past three games have been a challenge against some recent conference champions in Union, Cortland, and Alfred State. Despite the subpar record, though, the team will look to notch a signature moment this weekend against a strong Pioneer team and will utilize a strong rushing attack and a staunch pass defense to do so.
 
On offense, the Mustangs average 243 yards per game, with 132.6 of that coming via the rush. In Morrisville's rush-heavy offense, junior running back Isaac Sylvain is the main man, having 370 yards on 77 attempts while averaging 70.8 yards per game and 4.6 yards per attempt. He's also accrued four rushing touchdowns on the season, doing so while getting three times as many carries as any other Morrisville back.
 
Much like the Pioneers' previous foe in Cortland, the Mustangs rely on the legs of their quarterback, Christopher Stancarone, to help produce yards, as the senior signal caller has 136 yards on 26 attempts, averaging four yards per rush. However, Stancarone, despite being active on this week's roster, will play behind sophomore starter Logan Watson, who is a little less effective on the ground but provides a bit more prowess in the air. Watson has played in all of the Mustangs' past three outings, rushing for 76 yards on 23 attempts. The primary difference between the two quarterbacks lies in the passing game, as Watson has averaged 115.67 yards per game, also throwing for three touchdowns.
 
With Watson under center, the Mustangs will use a more balanced offensive look, and will try to get the ball to their pair of top receivers, Xavier Gaines and Mason Ondreyko. Gaines, a senior from Pomona, NY, gives Morrisville a deep-threat target, as he averages 18.64 yards per catch, even hauling in a 74-yard pass during a seven-catch, 140-yard performance last week against Alfred State. Ondreyko, on the other hand, has been more of a high-volume target, grabbing a team-high 24 catches, two times more than the next closest player.
 
On defense, the Mustangs put a lot of effort into slowing down the passing game, as they've allowed just 134 passing yards per game to their opponents through five games. This passing defense will be put to the test this coming weekend against a high-powered Pioneer passing game. Sophomore defensive back Bruce DeSean currently ranks as the most disruptive Mustang, having two interceptions and 31 total tackles (15 solo) so far this season. The trio of Eric Sparkman, Zavion Daniels, and Seth Hunter all each have an interception in 2025, helping to create big plays on the defensive end for a stingy Mustang pass defense.
 
Up front, Aaron Greaves is the biggest threat for the Pioneer offensive line. Greaves, the junior defensive lineman, has four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass breakup in 2025. He's also racked up 15 tackles (eight solo), and will be a big point of emphasis for the Pioneers.
 
Keys Against Morrisville: On defense, the Pioneers will look for much of the same during this week's matchup, banking on a tenacious front and a prepared secondary to halt the Mustang offense. It will be another big week for the guys up front, as DeForrest, Miranowicz, Mascari, and captain Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) look to bring an end to any rushing attempts. Past the front, Thomas, Gentile, Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley), and all the other Pioneer defenders will look to aid in the rushing defense, while also being privy to any passing plays and deep looks to Haines.
 
On offense, a big key will be for the Pioneers to open up the running game, as the Mustangs' focus on pass defense gives the orange and blue a prime opportunity to get Eze Frazier (Garnerville, NY/North Rockland), Jani Strong (Bronx, NY/Christ The King Regional), and Drevariis Yeomas (Victor, NY/Victor) going on the ground. A strong rushing defense and rushing attack will be the key, as the Pioneers will look to control the game on the ground and push for a big victory heading into their bye week.
 
After Matching Up With the Mustangs: The Pioneers will get a well-deserved bye week next Saturday, getting a week off to recuperate ahead of the latter half of the Empire 8 slate. The team will return on October 25th with a road matchup against Alfred University.
 
Tune in on Saturday for this year's Breast Cancer Awareness Game!