It’s hard to believe that Bishop Fenwick is looking to make the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2003-04. The Falcons graduated a ton of senior leadership now it is time to see if the “next man up” mantra is in place for continued success in head coach Fred Cranford’s third year in his second run at the helm of his alma mater.
“In year three, the culture of who we are gives us a clear identity in how we practice, compete, and prepare. Coming off a playoff berth, there’s real confidence built on experience. Increased numbers will create competition and depth,” Cranford states.
As pleasing as all that is, Cranford knows there is still work to be done. “The biggest challenge for this team is staying consistent. After a playoff run, there’s a risk of getting comfortable, so the focus must stay on proving it every day. Our depth has improved, but we still have players who need to prove themselves in real game situations. With the challenges of our schedule, maintaining consistency week to week will be critical.”
Quarterback Caf Halcomb along with running backs Hudson Kreke, DJ Berning and Micah O’Connor are the centerpieces of the offense. The line won’t intimidate opponents with their size but in Cranford’s Wing-T scheme they don’t need to be big, just technicians with great footwork for everything to work to precision. Junior lineman Tyler McVey is a rising star who will be playing on Saturday’s in two years.
Fenwick has to turn several obstacles into opportunities. The team moves down from Division IV to Division V, they only play four home games and everyone on the schedule is a larger school. There are some many chances to pick up Level I computer points and steal a first round playoff bye with victories.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle will be on defense where the Falcons will need its newcomers to step in and perform for the first time in their careers on Friday nights. If they can answer the call Bishop Fenwick will see itself playing in Week 11.
Division V, Region 20
2025 RECORD: 6-5, 3-2 GCL Co-ed
COACH: Fred Cranford (46-46 at Bishop Fenwick, nine years; 80-77 overall, 14 years)
HONOR ROLL
DJ Berning, Sr, DB/RS, 5-11/170
2025 Stats: OPSMA Division IV Second Team All-Southwest District (DB)
2025 Stats: 230 RuYds, 3 RuTDs, 6 rec., 92 ReYds, 1 ReTD, 394 KR/PRYs, 714 APYds, 41 Tkls,, 2.5 TFLs, 1 FF & 4 PDs
Career Stats: 280 RuYds, 3 RuTDs, 7 rec., 103 ReYds, 1 ReTD, 761 KR/PRYs, 1,165 APYds, 79 Tkls,, 4.5 TFLs, 1 FF, 7 PDs, 1 Int & 23 IRYs
Hudson Kreke, Sr, RB/DB, 6-0/170
2025 Honors: OPSMA Division IV Honorable Mention All-All-Southwet District
2025 Stats: 486 RuYds, 4 RuTDs, 24 rec., 459 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 330 KR/PRYs, 1,275 APYds, 28 Tkls, 6 PDs & 2 Ints
Career Stats: 568 RuYds, 5 RuTDs, 25 rec., 506 ReYds, 3 ReTDs, 375 KR/PRYs, 1,475 APYds, 53 Tkls, 6 PDs, 5 Ints & 26 IRYs
McCaffrey “Caf” Halcomb, Jr, QB, 6-1/170
2025 Stats: Second Team All-GCL Co-ed
2025 Stats: 1,108 PaYds, 8 PaTDs, 80 RuYds & 1 RuTD
Career Stats: 1,366 PaYds, 11 PaTDs, 80 RuYds & 1 RuTD
Noah Wagner, Sr, OL/DL, 6-0/240
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GCL Co-ed (OL)
Career Stats: 22 Tkls, 1.5 TFLs & 1 FR
Skip Schneider, Sr, DL, 5-9/235
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-GCL Co-ed
2025 Stats: 21 Tkls & 1.5 TFls
Tyler McVey, Jr, OL/DE/LS, 6-3/230
2025 Honors HM All-GCL Co-ed (OL)
Career Stats: 8 Tkls, 2.0 TFLs & 1 PD
OTHER RETURNEES
Micah O’Connor, Sr, FB/LB, 6-1/185
Career Stats: 215 PaYds, 4 PaTDs, 208 RuYds, 3 RuTDs, 3 rec., 94 ReYds, 1 ReTD, 280 Tkls, 1.0 TFL, 1 FF & 1 FR
Noah Henning, Jr, OL, 6-0/185
NEWCOMERS
Tank Fedders, So, DB, 5-10/175
Transferred from Franklin after freshman year
2025 Stats: 37 Tkls & 3 PDs
Cullin Shaffer, Sr, LB, 5-9/190
2025 Stats: 3G, 9 Tkls & 0.5 TFLs
Landen Munafo, Sr, WR/P, 6-2/170
Career Stats: 4 rec., 90 ReYds, 1 ReTD, 6 Tkls, 1 FF, 1 PD, 29.3 on 64 punts, long 66 yds & 30 punts In20
Justin Hunter, Sr, OL/DL, 6-0/215
Lucas Huber, Jr, OL/DL, 5-11/205
PLAYOFF HISTORY (19 appearances, 16-18) – 2025, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2015 (Regional Champion), 2012, 2004, 2003, 1991, 1988, 1987 (Regional Champion), 1985, 1984 (State Runner-up), 1983 (Regional Champion), 1982, 1978 (Regional Champion), 1975 (Regional Champion), 1974 (State Champion), 1973 (State Champion), 1972 (Regional Champion)
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – CHCA (10-2 in 2025) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – at Monroe (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – at Franklin (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – at Edgewood (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – MOUNT HEALTHY (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – at Alter (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – BADIN (10-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – CHAMINADE JULIENNE (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – at McNicholas (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – at Carroll (1-9) – 7:00 PM
