WAUKESHA, Wis. - Carroll's football team enters their 2025 having finished with a winning percentage of .500 or better in four consecutive seasons. They finished last season ranking sixth in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) in scoring (24.6 ppg) and fourth in the conference in scoring defense (23.8 ppg).
 
This season, the Pios have been picked to finish fifth in the CCIW Football Preseason Coaches' Poll with 48 total points, which was just five shy of the fourth-highest total. That is where Carroll has finished in the conference standings at the conclusion of each of the last three seasons.
 
QUARTERBACK
The Pioneers have six quarterbacks on this year's roster, with senior Charlie King being the only signal-caller with game experience. He is coming off a season that saw him start the final half of the year, completing 60 percent of his passes for 839 yards and seven touchdowns, while tossing just two interceptions. He also ran 36 times for 112 yards and two more scores.
 
Sophomore Elisha Nieves is slated to begin the season as the team's backup, while fellow sophomore Maximos General brings experience as the team's holder on special teams. Junior Dominick Caruso, Sophomore Pacey Weber, and Freshman Kaleb Sims will also compete at that position.
 
RUNNING BACK
With eight running backs on this year's squad, the Pios have depth and youth at that position. Junior Marcus Johnson is the incumbent starter, coming off a year that saw him lead the team in rushing with 537 yards, while scoring three touchdowns on the ground. He also caught nine passes for 57 yards in his eight games.
 
Senior Mikey Coleman is also back for the Pios, after also scoring three rushing touchdowns last season, in addition to ranking second on the team with 208 yards on the ground.
 
That duo will be joined by Graduate Student Carson Crouch and Sophomore Giovani Zaragoza as players that recorded at least one carry last season.
 
WIDE RECEIVER
One of the youngest positions on the team is at wideout, where Carroll boasts six freshmen, eight sophomores, two juniors, and three seniors. Entering their season-opener. Two of their three seniors will be expected to contribute heavily, as Sammy Muth and Santiago Rios are slated for the starting lineup. Muth is coming off an injury-shortened season, which saw him catch three passes for 48 yards and his first career touchdown, while Rios led all Pio wide receivers with 21 catches for 335 yards and three TDs.
 
Sophomore David Simmons caught 13 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown a year ago, and will look to continue to improve, while fellow sophomore Aaron Appiah-Kubi will have a larger role on offense in 2025.
 
TIGHT END
One player to watch that is on the national radar is Reed Breckheimer, who returns for his senior season after leading the team in rushing touchdowns (5), receiving touchdowns (3), receptions (36), and receiving yards (476) last season, while also rushing for 176 yards and completing his only pass attempt for 18 yards. Carroll's jack-of-all-trades has been named to the D3football.com Preseason All-America team ahead of the season, while also landing on the Watch List for the East-West Shrine Bowl.
 
"We are proud of Reed and his accomplishments thus far. His preseason accolades only vindicate his hard work and dedication to the Pioneers' football program," said Carroll Head Football Coach Mike Budziszewski.
 
Breckheimer is one of nine tight ends on Carroll's roster, with fellow senior Jackson Parman slated to serve as the backup. Senior Tristan Caudill is the only returning player at the position other than Breckheimer to have recorded at least one reception last season.
 
OFFENSIVE LINE
Carroll's offensive line paved the way for 139.6 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked sixth in the CCIW. They will look to improve on those numbers, which saw them average 4.1 yards per carry, and rank fifth in the league in rushing touchdowns (15).
 
The left side of the line will feature some youth, with Sophomore Brendan Raciak and Junior Alberto Chavez slated to start at tackle and guard, respectively, while Seniors Colton Fakes and Brett Knutsen will begin the season as the starters at right tackle and right guard, respectively. Senior Max Katsenos is back as the anchor of the line at center, after earning Academic All-DIstrict honors a year ago.
 
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Pioneers' defensive unit will be much more seasoned than the offense this season, and that starts at defensive line, where Carroll will start three seniors. Jordan Pfeiffer and Luke Brosig combined for four sacks last season, and will hunt for more in 2025 as the team's starting defensive ends.
 
On the interior line, Clayton Huber is back for his senior season, after recording 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss last year. He has appeared in all but one game for the Pios during the last three years. Junior Aidan Peters will also shore up the interior as a defensive tackle. WIth 25 defensive linemen on this year's roster, Carroll will have the flexibility to use a strong rotation of players, which will keep their legs fresh.
 
 
LINEBACKER
Senior Will Campbell battled injuries last season, but still earned Second Team All-Conference honors, finishing second on the team with 58 tackles, in addition to 2.5 sacks and team-highs of two fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered.
 
"Will is a great football player and an even better person, and we are very proud of his accomplishments, which includes being selected to the AFCA Good Works Team," Budziszewski said. "His work on the field, in the classroom and in our community embodies what it means to be a Pioneer."
 
Also contributing among Carroll's linebackers will be seniors Braedon Curtin and Dezmend Esquivel, and Junior Evan Griffiths. Curtin appeared in all 10 games last season, recording 29 tackles, including two for a loss. Griffiths and Esquivel each appeared in at least eight games last year, making 16 and 11 tackles, respectively, with Griffiths also forcing one fumble.
 
Senior Hayden Hartman, Junior Larsen Dixon, and Sophomore Kaiwalya Kaneta will also contribute at linebacker for the Pioneers. Dixon recorded 18 tackles in six games last season.
 
DEFENSIVE BACK
Carroll's defensive backfield consists of four upperclassmen starters, as Senior Mychale Gary and Junior Amarrion Bridges are expected to have the first opportunity to start at cornerback. Gary recorded his first career interception last season, in addition to 17 tackles.
 
Senior Drake Emanual will be Carroll's most experienced defensive back at safety, having appeared in all 20 games for the program the last two years, recording two career interceptions. Emmanuel finished third on the team in tackles last season with 50. Carroll's other starting safety will be Junior Anthony Pickens, who has recorded 17 tackles in 10 career games during the last two seasons combined.
 
Other players that could see some playing time at defensive back include seniors Drayden Hilliard, and Isaac Urtiz, and juniors Jonah Miller and Michael Hankinson.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
One of the top kickers in the CCIW, Junior Matthew Swink enters this season on the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List, which is for the top kickers in college football, across all divisions. He converted 10-of-12 field goals last season, which was tied for the most field goals by a player in the CCIW, and included a long of 46 yards. Swink also converted 30-of-31 PATs.
 
"We are very proud of Matt's development and excited that he's getting national recognition for his efforts as a kicker," said Budziszewski.
 
At punter, Carroll will have big shoes to fill, as Noah Streveler was lost to graduation after the All-Region performer set several school records. Junior Michael Hankinson will take over those duties, which will help the Pios' field position.
 
Carroll will open their 2025 season tonight (9/4) at UW-Eau Claire. That game will begin at 6 p.m. in Eau Claire, Wis.