College Football: Local athletes look to clinch D-III semifinal bid with Susquehanna River Hawks

Photo by Kim Howes

SELINSGROVE — The Susquehanna University River Hawks will host Bethel University (Minnesota) in Saturday’s NCAA Division III football quarterfinal. The River Hawks (11-1) enter the quarterfinals as the Landmark Conference champions as they face Bethel (11-2). Three local players will take to the field in hopes for a semifinal bid.

Susquehanna traveled to Minnesota this past Saturday and punched its ticket to the quarterfinals with a 41-38 win over Saint John’s. The River Hawks kicked a 37-yard field goal with two seconds left on the clock, sending the Hawks onward in D-III play.

Three familiar names will be taking the field this weekend. Liam Reiley of Pottsville OL (Nativity BVM), Jacob Shultz of Mount Carmel WR (Mount Carmel Area) and Hunter Shimko of Frackville RT (Marian), will suit up for the Hawks in the hopes to send Susquehanna to the semifinals, a feat only accomplished one other time by the 1991 team.

Hunter Shimko, a graduate student in his fourth season, was also among 16 honored with First-Team All-Landmark selections, boasting an OL start in every regular season game this year.

Gabby Wagner of Shamokin will be adding to the gameday atmosphere as a varsity cheerleader. She takes to the sidelines as a backspot.

Bethel fell in the MIAC Conference championship but still received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Bethel was one of 12 schools chosen for bids as the NCAA expanded the Division III playoff format to include 40 teams. They enter this weekend’s quarterfinal ranked 21^st. This is their 13th playoff appearance since 2000.

Kickoff is set for noon Saturday at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium in Selinsgrove. Fans interested in attending the game may purchase tickets online at suriverhawks.com. The game is also being broadcast for free by the campus radio station WQSU FM or can be streamed on ESPN +.