Alma, MI - When the clock hit zeros at Bahlke Field on November 26th, it marked the end of another football season at Alma College. Only this was no ordinary season. This season proved to be the greatest campaign in the 128 year history of Alma College Football. Alma set a new high for wins in a season, completed their first unbeaten regular season since 1968, won their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc. (MIAA) Conference Championship since 2004, and made it out of the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Tournament for the first time in program history.
The postseason accolades rolled in for Alma, with the headline being five players who were named to the All-Region team by D3Football.com. Linebacker Odin Soffredine, and Safety Austin Flowers were named to the second team. Meanwhile Offensive Lineman Alex Dean, Quarterback Carter St. John, and Running Back Eddie Williams were named to the third team. In addition, Head Coach Jason Couch was named Region IV Coach of the Year. This comes with another honor, as the Scots' HC was voted AFCA Region IV Coach of the Year by his peers around the country.
The Scots got it done in the classroom as well, with six College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honorees. Alex Dean, Reese Townsend, Zack Post, Odin Soffredine, Cole Thomas, and Evan Metiva were honored for their efforts in the classroom and having above a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
The Scots broke or tied ELEVEN program records, setting new single game, and season highs. Freshman Eddie Williams tied the record for rushing touchdowns in a game with 3 against Trine. The first year running back also set new records for single season rushing yards and attempts with 1,184 rushing yards on 212 rushes. Josh Hernandez tied a Scots record with three field goals made in a game against Adrian at home. The sophomore kicker also set a new mark for PATs in a season with 51.
However, this team didn't just have success as individuals. They also shattered team records across the board. The 2022 Scots set records for passing touchdowns in a season with 35, rushing touchdowns in a season with 28, and first downs in a season with 281. This Alma team also secured the most wins in a single season with 11. Those wins were partially fueled by a revamped offense that scored the most points in program history (472), and gained the most offensive yards (5,384) in a single season.
The Scots also found themselves moving up the list, or onto the list, on 43 other instances. For a complete list of records, and honors, click the link below.
Alma College Football 2022-23 Records
The Scots were ranked at #18 in the AFCA Coaches Postseason Poll. This ties the highest rank that the Scots have ever reached in program history. In the end, the Scots completed a season that captivated all those who watched, set new records for future Scots to pursue, and gave a small town in the middle of Michigan a spot on the national stage. For now, we can only wait and see what the Scots have in store for next season.
Story Credit: Nick Nemeth, Sports Information Director
