In their own words: Coaches share what was special about the 2025 St. Paul Pioneers. Team continued long tradition of excellence, passion

By Jim Walsh

Since its founding by original owner and head coach Adam Gold in 2002, through its infusion of national prominence by George Hall and former head coach Mark Heiser, the St. Paul Pioneers football club has set the standard for the best amateur football has to offer.

In 2025, Coach Damien Rochon-Washington and a roster of young, inspired players and coaches carried the torch into a new day. Finishing the season with a 7-3 record and yet another playoff berth, the Pioneers are once again poised to scale the summit.

But let’s let Coach Rochon-Washington, who is also a member of the Pioneers Hall of Fame, tell you what was special about what our beloved Juice coined the P-Unit:

“This season, the Pioneers took major steps forward as a team. Our coaching assistants and support staff worked their butts off, and it showed week after week.

Unit 25 added some great young talent on both sides of the ball. On the offensive line, Leroy, Thierry, and Tarious were fantastic additions who brought toughness and consistency to an already promising group.

Defensively, newcomers Corey Addams, Demarco Thurmond, and Cornelius Whalo all stepped up and made big plays throughout the year. We also saw young Pioneers like Jay Purifoy and Trevon Cunningham stand out all season long, showing the kind of promise that excites us about the future.

At the same time, we were fortunate to have some veterans return to the Pioneer family after time with other teams. Isiah Simms, Jay Pearson, and Herschel Brazell are just a few examples of guys who came back and made a major impact on the field and in the locker room.

The Pioneers are built on hunger, commitment, and a brotherhood that runs deep. That culture carried us to a successful season that included a playoff berth. Still, everyone in our program knows the bar and expectations here are higher than most.

I’m incredibly proud of this group. Their resilience, toughness, and unity allowed us to pull out some tough victories and build momentum for the future. As we turn the page, we’re already focused on making our 25th season one to remember.... a year that will honor our history, raise our standards, and push us closer to the championship level this program demands.”

Pioneers Assistant Coach J. Alfred Potter has been with the Pioneers a relatively short time. But he already bleeds Cardinal and Black. A young man who has continued the tradition of a dedicated staff member tirelessly working for the betterment of the team, Potter, too, was asked to share his thoughts.

“The 2025 Season was challenging but a worthwhile experience. Often, we struggled but under the leadership of Quarterback Matt Thayer, Running Back Tyrone Douglas, and Wide Receiver Anthony Bagget, we were able to find a pace and means to enter the end zone. Offensive Lineman Jerimiah Sims grew in ways that were not expected. He showed up lighter and more vocal about wanting to lead and he did just that. He united the offensive line.

Defensively, the leadership of guys like Heinrich Ezin, Dom Goseyun, and Jay Pearson allowed us to be strong all year. The defensive unit was the strongest unit we had this year and possibly the strongest one we have had since our championship season of 2022. 

The home game against the Rough Riders sticks with me. We had a tough game and no one on our sideline quit. 

I am most proud of this group of guys sticking by one another and leaving the field at the end of the playoff game with their heads held high. They have all locked in and are ready for 2026.”

And, finally, a shoutout to the 2025 Pioneers outstanding award winners. The past and present of the Pioneers sparkles. And the future is exceptionally bright.

Defensive Rookies of the Year: Jay Purifoy & Tre Cunningham [DBs]
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Thierry Tetevi [OL]
Offensive Player of the Year: Anthony Baggett [WR]
Defensive Player of the Year: Corey Adams [LB]
Special Teams Player of the Year: Joshua Castro [PK]
Team MVP: Tre Cunningham [DB]
George “Juice” Hall Award: Brandon Murdock [DL]