KYLE SCHECK
PHOTOGRAPHER
TY SLATER
SPORTS WRITER
9/16/2024
After winning back-to-back MIAA Championships, Alma College Football has captured the attention of the NCAA Division III football world. During this past offseason, the Scots were nationally ranked inside the top 10 and had three players – Devon Frenchko (5th yr.), Carter St. John (’26), and Zach Poff (’26) – named Preseason All-Americans by d3football.com.
Frenchko was awarded Preseason First Team All-American at wide receiver after being named an All-MIAA, All-Region, and Third Team All-American pass catcher following the 2023 year. Frenchko was a valuable asset in Alma’s passing game, recording 1,259 receiving yards on 39 receptions and 14 touchdowns. Frenchko averaged 32.28 yards per catch and 96.85 yards per game to finish out the prior campaign.
St. John was honored as a Preseason Third Team All-American at quarterback. After the 2023 season, St. John picked up All-MIAA and All-Region honors while being named a Fourth Team All-American and MIAA Most Valuable Offensive Player. The QB started all 13 games last year for the Scots, completing 200 out of 281 pass attempts (71.17%) for 3,323 yards and 38 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He also logged eight touchdowns on the ground with 444 rushing yards on 89 attempts.
Poff was listed as a Preseason Third Team All-American return specialist after his first year at Alma, returning three kickoffs for touchdowns and averaging 29.9 yards per return during the 2023 season. Poff also started for the Scots at wide receiver, totaling 517 yards on 41 catches with 12 receiving touchdowns on the year.
In addition to three players being named Preseason All-Americans, the Scots opened the 2024 season ranked number seven in the d3football.com preseason poll. This followed an impressive 12-1 record in 2023, where Alma finished ranked at number six – marking the highest placement in program history – after falling 58-41 to SUNY Cortland in the NCAA Division III Tournament Quarterfinals.
Heading into the new season, the team aims to return to the playoffs for the third consecutive year and contend for a national championship.
Alma College Football kicked off the 2024 season at home against the then-ranked number 17 UW-River Falls on Saturday, Sep. 7, but fell in a hard-fought contest 41-35. St. John went 25 for 38 passing with 257 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception while adding 33 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown to his performance.
Following the first regular season loss since Nov. 13, 2021, Jason Couch, head football coach for Alma College, said he is “looking forward to how [the team] would respond. We face a lot of adversity in life and it’s how you respond that will contribute to the outcome.”
The Scots rebounded this past weekend away at Denison University, winning 38-30. This brings their season record to 1-1 as they aim to get their season on track and push for the playoffs. In the game against the Falcons, Ty Lotterman (’25) led the Scots receivers with 117 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions. Frenchko followed with one touchdown of his own on three catches for 46 yards.
UW-River Falls did a good job containing the run, holding Alma’s lead back Eddie Williams (’26) to 50 rush yards on 18 carries for the day. The Scots second leading rusher, Jordan Williams (’27), totaled 72 yards with 32 coming through the air and a receiving touchdown.
On the defensive side, Jett King (’27), Ryan Kugelman (’26), and Elijah Jackson (5th yr.) led the Scots in tackles with each recording nine apiece. Ryan West (’27) and Bryce Fredenburg (5th yr.) both came down with an interception as well.
The Scots will be away next to take on Northern Michigan University on Sep. 21 before returning to Bahlke Field to battle Hope College on Sep. 28 for the homecoming game.
On Sep. 10, Alma was newly positioned at number 15 in the d3football.com national rankings and number 16 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
Stay up to date on the latest Alma Scots Football news by following almascots.com.
The Almanian: News 
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