The Pioneer Football League announced its spring 2021 schedule, Thursday, comprising a six-week slate set to begin March 13.
 
The Stetson Hatters are scheduled to host games at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium on March 27 against Presbyterian, April 3 against Marist and April 10 against Drake. Stetson is scheduled to open the spring slate with consecutive road games at Davidson (March 13) and Morehead State (March 20) and then close the season on April 17 at San Diego.
 
In November, the PFL Presidents Council endorsed a six-game conference season in the spring of 2021, as advanced by the PFL athletic directors and coaches. The Council determined to move forward with a plan that provides a meaningful competitive experience for PFL football student-athletes.
 
"We are so excited that the PFL is looking to play games," Hatters head coach Roger Hughes said. "Our kids are excited to get back on the field and play games, especially after seeing other teams in other leagues play this fall. I know there are still going to be challenges in the spring because the Covid virus still has a vote, but it is exciting to know our players have something to look forward to as a reward to the hard work they put in during the fall."
 
The PFL's six-week schedule will see each of its 10 members – including Presbyterian, who joins the PFL for the spring 2021 schedule – play three home and three away contests. Individual members may schedule nonconference games prior to the league's March 13-April 17 window.
 
Stetson is pursuing the possibility of adding a non-conference game prior to the start of PFL play, but no opponents have yet been identified.
 
In September, the NCAA Board of Directors approved plans for NCAA Division I fall championships to be played in the spring as outlined by the Division I Council. The Division I Football Championship will feature 16 teams, with the bracket announced Sunday, April 18, and the championship game to be played May 14, 15, or 16 in Frisco, Texas. The spring 2021 field includes automatic bids from 11 FCS conferences, including the PFL, and five at-large selections.
 
The PFL Presidents Council fully recognizes this is an aspirational plan given the current severe state of the coronavirus pandemic and the many unknowns in the coming months for the country, the diverse group of states in which our schools exist, and the individual PFL institutions themselves. Consequently, at their sole discretion, individual institutions may choose to opt-out of the PFL 2021 spring season at any time.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.