Spellman, Batres, & Giovannelli Claim PFL’s Week 1 Individual Honors

8/31/2025 3:57:42 PM

By: Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations Director

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake quarterback Chase Spellman, Valparaiso defensive lineman Gabriel Batres, and St. Thomas wide receiver Stefano Giovannelli are the Pioneer Football League’s Week 1 Players of the Week, announced Sunday.

Spellman was responsible for four touchdowns and 270 total offensive yards in a Bulldogs’ victory against Upper Iowa on Thursday. Batres had four tackles for loss and three sacks in the Beacons’ win against Virginia-Lynchburg. Giovannelli put the Tommies ahead for good with an eight-yard run on a fake field goal play in a win against Lindenwood.   

Offensive

Chase Spellman, Drake (Sophomore, Quarterback, Wales, Wisconsin)
Spellman was responsible for four touchdowns in Drake’s 41-7 victory against Division II Upper Iowa. Through the air, he completed 14-of-16 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Spellman used his legs to score another two touchdowns in a seven-carry, 37-yard performance. He became the first Drake quarterback to rush and throw for at least one touchdown in a game since 2021.

Others Nominated

  • Butler quarterback Andrew Reagan completed 22-of-36 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown and ran 15 times for 75 yards and a touchdown in a 38-14 loss at Northern Iowa.
  • Dayton wide receiver Gavin Lochow had six receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown in a 24-14 loss at Eastern Illinois.
  • Marist running back Tristan Shannon ran for a career-high 104 yards on eight carries and scored a touchdown in a 31-14 victory against New Haven.
  • Morehead State quarterback Carter Cravens completed 16-of-21 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown and rushed for two more touchdowns on a nine-carry, 71-yard rushing performance in a 38-31 victory against Allen (S.C.).
  • Presbyterian wide receiver had nine receptions for 114 yards in a 15-10 victory at No. 11 Mercer.
  • St. Thomas quarterback Andy Peters completed 11-of-18 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns and added 29 yards on seven carries in a 35-13 victory against Lindenwood.
  • Valparaiso running back Mike Mansaray amassed 134 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in a 67-10 victory against Virginia-Lynchburg.

Defensive

Gabriel Batres, Valparaiso (Sophomore (RS), Defensive Lineman, Fairfield, California)
Batres recorded four tackles for loss and led a Valparaiso defensive unit that amassed 18 tackles for loss in a 67-10 victory against Virginia-Lynchburg on Saturday. He needed three quarters to put together his outing, which saw him finish with six tackles and a strip sack.

Others Nominated

  • Butler linebacker Jeremiah Jackson recorded nine tackles (seven solo), including two tackles for loss, and had a pass breakup in a 38-14 loss at Northern Iowa.
  • Dayton cornerback Josh Williams had six tackles (five solo), including 2.5 tackles for loss, and had a fumble forced and fumble recovered in a 24-14 loss at Eastern Illinois.
  • Drake defensive back Garrison Codde had two tackles (one solo), but intercepted a pass, and recovered a muffed punt in a 41-7 victory against Upper Iowa.
  • Marist cornerback Tyrell Powell notched eight tackles (five solo), including a sack for a tackle for loss, and recovered a muffed punt in a 31-14 victory against New Haven.
  • Presbyterian linebacker Michael Torres posted six tackles (two solo) and was part of a defense that pitched a scoreless performance in the second in fourth quarters of a 15-10 victory at No. 11 Mercer.
  • St. Thomas linebacker Ryan Sever led the way with 10 tackles (five solo) and a fumble recovery in a 35-13 victory against Lindenwood.

Special Teams

Stefano Giovannelli, St. Thomas (Sophomore, Wide Receiver, St. Louis Park, Minnesota)
With the game tied 7-7 in the third quarter, Giovannelli was the holder on a fake field goal attempt that saw him take the snap and scamper eight yards for a touchdown that put St. Thomas ahead for good in a 35-13 upset of Lindenwood on Thursday. In his regular responsibilities, he caught two passes for 52 yards.

Others Nominated

  • Dayton punter Logan Forcum averaged 42.7 yards per punt on seven attempts, with two downed inside the 20-yard line and three fair caught, in a 24-14 loss at Eastern Illinois.
  • Marist linebacker Rene Barber recovered a muffed punt in the end zone as part of a Red Foxes' busy special teams performance that led to a 31-14 victory against New Haven.
  • Morehead State kick returner Sidney Webb returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, extending the Eagles' lead back to 10 points, and also had a 56-yard kickoff return earlier in a 38-31 victory against Allen (S.C.).
  • Valparaiso kicker Luke Scoma was responsible for 12 points, converting two field goals and six PATs, in a 67-10 victory against Virginia-Lynchburg.
About the Pioneer Football League
The Pioneer Football League is the only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The PFL is a truly national conference with members on each coast and throughout the nation’s heartland. Butler University, the University of Dayton, Drake University, and Valparaiso University were among the league’s founding members in 1993, with Davidson College, Marist College, Morehead State University, Presbyterian College, the University of San Diego, the University of St. Thomas, and Stetson University joining to form the current 11-team league.