GRINNELL, Iowa – After putting a more competitive team on the field last season, Grinnell College football coach Brent Barnes is looking to continue that trend in 2025.
 
The Pioneers, who went 2-8 last season and 2-7 in the Midwest Conference, will combine the return of key players with several talented newcomers. The Pioneers open their campaign at home Saturday against Macalester College. Kickoff at Rosenbloom Field is 1 p.m.
 
At quarterback, Henry Baird split time with Will Cloake '27 last season. While Baird has graduated, Will Weber '29 and Stephen Bailey '29 have joined the mix. "The newcomers are showing great things and it's going to be a battle to the first game as to who starts," said Barnes.
 
Lucky Carton '27, who led the team last year with 436 rushing yards and three touchdowns, returns to lead the running backs along with Marcus Sung '28 and Sam Eaton '27. Eaton was the team's second-leading rusher last year with 365 yards and two scores, while Sung rushed for 278 yards and one TD. Matthew Johanson '28 has moved from tight end to running back and David Eisenberg '29 and Hunter Jackson '27 will also get time. "We're running a little bit of a new offense this year," said Barnes. "All of these guys will play a part in running the ball."
 
As for receiver, Barnes said Jack Reed '27 is back and healthy and other key players in the mix will be Noah Smith '27, Vincent Shen '29 and Zane Maxwell '29. Smith had 20 catches for 228 yards and a TD last season. Seth Semmen '26 and Charlie Greene '28 are in the mix at tight end.
 
"The line will be anchored by one senior, Josh Clark '26, and I'm really excited about the contributions of sophomores Cash Hardy '28 and Ricky Eastern '28," said Barnes. He also noted Larry Peck '29, Andrew Funk '29, Seamus Lawless '29, Logan Sanchez '28, Michael Olufade '28, Shawan Singh '29 and Max Robinson '29 will contribute.
 
The defensive line lost all-conference selection Travis Chu, but Breck Bishop '26 is back after ranking third on the team last season with 42 tackles and five sacks. "He's doing a great job, as are a bunch of other guys such as are returnees Adam Whalen '28, Rory Leonard '28 and Ty Jones '26 along with new guys TJ Brayboy '29, Tony Lee '29, Benton Tso '29 and Jack Phillips '29."
 
Peyton Williams '27 and Adrian Stubbs '26 return to lead the linebacker corps and will be joined by Luke Konczal '29, Josh Broussard '29, Alex Costello '29 and Hayden Lyday '29.
 
The team features plenty of experience in the defensive backfield. "CJ Readon '27 and Hays Marionneaux '28 are doing a great job at cornerback as are Kevin Johanson '26 (fourth on the team in tackles with 41) and Ajay Griffin '27 at safety," said Barnes. "And we'll have some great backups in Brandon Tennicott '26, Javi Rodriguez '28, Jake Warren '28, Nolan Novak '29 and Maddux Anderson '29."
 
Noah Davidoff '28 returns after seeing time at punter a year ago. "I'm excited about the possibilities there," said Barnes. "We have Ben Bortel '29 at kicker and Ryan Feldman '29, as well. This is an area we have a lot of depth."
 
Barnes hopes this all stacks up to improvement in 2025. "It's year five of this," said Barnes of his tenure, "We felt last year we were improved, but maybe underperformed in terms of wins and losses. We had a lot of close games – the question is can we turn those losses into wins."
 
The coaching staff includes mainstays Gene Blalock and Eddie Arias along with newcomers Malcolm J. Gibson, Sean Grande and Hugh Werner. "I like the additions to our staff," said Barnes. "They've added a level of toughness and accountability."