ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake running back Davion Cherwin, Presbyterian defensive lineman Carter Szydlowski, and Valparaiso punter Sam Johnson are the Pioneer Football League’s Week 13 Players of the Week, announced Sunday.

Cherwin ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns, including a 91-yard scoring dash, to help Drake secure the league’s automatic bid and outright title with a win at Stetson. Szydlowski had a busy day but his fumble recovery in the final minutes helped Presbyterian secure its fourth-straight win to end the season. Johnson secured the PFL’s single-season punting average mark with four punts averaging 51.2 yards.

Offensive

Davion Cherwin, Drake  (Senior, Running Back, Bartlett, Illinois)
Cherwin’s 91-yard rushing touchdown set the tone as Drake secured the PFL automatic bid with a 49-10 victory at Stetson on Saturday. He rushed for a Bulldogs season-best 161 yards on 11 carries – 14.6 yards per carry – and had two touchdowns in the win. The 91-yard run was the longest rush in the PFL this season, putting Drake up 21-7 early in the second quarter. Earlier in the game, he scored on a seven-yard run for a 14-0 lead.
Others Nominated

• Dayton wide receiver Jake Coleman caught a career-high 10 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in a loss at St. Thomas.
• Presbyterian running back Quante Jennings ran for a career-best 190 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown in a 30-27 victory against Butler.
• San Diego running back Isaiah Smith ran for 205 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries in a 37-14 victory at Morehead State.
• St. Thomas running back Hope Adebayo carried the ball 22 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-9 victory against Dayton.
• Valparaiso wide receiver Gary Givens III had three catches for 41 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown reception as time expired in an 18-17 victory against Davidson.

Defensive

Carter Szydlowski, Presbyterian (Junior, Defensive Lineman, Mount Pleasant, Tennessee)
Szydlowski recovered a fumble in the closing minutes to help Presbyterian win its fourth-straight game with a 30-27 victory against nationally-ranked Butler. He recorded nine team-best tackles, with one sack and four tackles resulting in a gain of one yard or less. After a Presbyterian field goal made it a 30-20 game, Butler’s ensuing drive was terminated by a fumble on the first play with Szydlowski recovering the loose ball to ensure the Blue Hose gained possession.
Others Nominated

• Dayton linebacker Gideon Lampron notched nine tackles, two for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery in a loss at St. Thomas.
• Drake defensive lineman Gene Blalock had five tackles and an interception in a 49-10 win at Stetson.
• St. Thomas defensive back Den Juette posted five tackles, two for loss, and had an interception in a 32-9 victory against Dayton.
• Valparaiso linebacker Jake Birmingham notched 10 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a sack in a 18-17 victory against Davidson.

Special Teams

Sam Johnson, Valparaiso (Senior (RS), Punter, Birmingham, Alabama)
Johnson secured the PFL single-season punting record, averaging 51.2 yards on four punts in Valparaiso’s 18-17 victory against Davidson on Saturday. Three of his four punts against the Wildcats went for 50-plus yards, including a 55-yarder. He finished the season averaging 47.13 yards per punt, breaking the PFL and Valparaiso single-season mark.
Others Nominated

• Dayton wide receiver Paul Kelly averaged 19.7 yards on three punt returns and 18.8 yards on five kick returns and finished with 153 combined kick return yards in a loss at St. Thomas.
• San Diego kicker Aidan Lehman was responsible for nine points (27-yard field goal, 6-6 PATs) in a win at Morehead State.
• Valparaiso punter Sam Johnson averaged 51.2 yards on his four punts with three 50-plus yard kicks, setting the PFL record for season punting average at 47.13 yards per punt in an 18-17 victory against Davidson.