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Cal (Pa.) football team returns home for 2nd round of playoffs

Jeremy Sellew
| Friday, November 28, 2025 5:53 p.m.
Jeff Helsel | Mon Valley Independent
Cal (Pa.)'s Deontae Williams returns a kickoff against Clarion during the 2025 season.

Cal (Pa.) will try to extend its postseason run Saturday when it hosts No. 24 Frostburg State in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs at noon at Adamson Stadium.

The matchup marks the teams’ second meeting in four weeks and follows a dramatic opening-round win for the Vulcans on the road.

Cal (9-3) surged past No. 17 Virginia Union last week, capitalizing on early turnovers that set up two first-quarter touchdowns in a 27-24 victory.

Junior running back Kendrick Agenor continued his prolific November, rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 26 carries. Quarterback Roman Purcell added two rushing scores, and the defense delivered one of its most timely performances of the season. Junior Khalil Taylor posted eight tackles and 1 1/2 tackles for loss, and junior defensive back Amory Thompson intercepted two passes, including one on Virginia Union’s first play from scrimmage.

The Vulcans return home for the first time in four weeks, entering the second round with a 9-5 all-time playoff record at Adamson Stadium.

Cal previously defeated Frostburg State, 31-26, on Nov. 1, a game in which its defense produced an interception return for a touchdown and sophomore Deontae Williams broke loose for an 87-yard kickoff return score.

Frostburg State (10-2), the Mountain East Conference co-champion, earned its playoff berth with one of the region’s top defenses. The Bobcats lead Super Region One in passing yards allowed per game and pace the MEC in total defense, scoring defense, sacks and turnovers forced. Defensive lineman Christian Taylor enters with 10 sacks, and linebackers Rainer Halveland and Kurt Thomas each have 57 tackles. Frostburg’s secondary has 15 interceptions, making it one of the country’s most opportunistic units.

Offensively, the Bobcats rely heavily on their two-headed rushing attack. Owen Doyle and KJ Smothers have combined for more than 1,800 yards and 21 touchdowns, including 200-plus rushing yards in last week’s win at Johnson C. Smith. Quarterback Jordan Brooks leads a balanced passing corps featuring four receivers with at least 25 catches and big-play threat Jevonn Gilyard, who averages nearly 20 yards per reception.

Saturday’s game is one of several involving unseeded teams advancing in Super Region 1, the only DII region sending three unseeded programs into the second round. California aims to maintain its recent momentum against ranked opponents, having defeated four nationally ranked teams this season. The Vulcans also seek their sixth all-time second-round playoff win.

The Vulcans lead the all-time series 8-2.


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