ERIE, Pa. (May 15) - Former Saint Vincent football stars Aaron Smetanka (C'12) and Taofik Amokomowo (C'12) helped lead the Erie Explosion to an unbeaten season and the team's first Continental Indoor Football League Championship this past weekend.

Smetanka was the starting quarterback for the Explosion, who defeated the defending-league champion Saginaw Sting, 37-36, in Sunday's (May 12, 2013) championship game. Amokomowo utilized his athleticism to see time on the offensive and defensive lines as well as playing fullback in the Explosion's offense.

During their time at Saint Vincent, Smetanka re-wrote the program's modern-era record books with his performance as a two-time First-Team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference quarterback. Amokomowo was a two-time All-PAC offensive lineman, including a First-Team nod following his senior campaign in 2012.

The pair become the first Bearcats to play professional football in the United States since John Macerelli (C'53) appeared in 12 games for the Cleveland Browns in 1956. Stephen Shore (C'11) played professionally in Australia for the South Brisbane Wildcats of the Queensland Gridiron League in 2011.

Saint Vincent opens up the 2013 regular season on Saturday, September 7, when it travels to Bridgewater (Va.) for a 1 p.m. kick-off.