Two former Fairfield High School football players found themselves on opposite sidelines last weekend as Luke Konczal and Nolan Smith — teammates in high school — saw their respective teams face off in their college football season openers.
Konczal, a sophomore linebacker at Grinnell College, helped the Pioneers earn their first season-opening victory since 2011, a 16-13 win over Mount Mercy University at Rosenbloom Field in Grinnell. Smith, a freshman offensive lineman at Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids, was on the other sideline as the Mustangs played their first-ever varsity game in program history.
The Season Opener
The win was 15 years in the making for Grinnell, which had not won a season opener since a 31-6 decision at Macalester College in 2011 and had not won a home opener since a 45-10 victory over Macalester in 2010. The game was decided in dramatic fashion, with Ryan Feldman booting a 28-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining to lift the Pioneers past the NAIA-level Mustangs 16-13.
Konczal led the Pioneers’ defense with nine tackles in the opener. Grinnell head football coach Brent Barnes, who also serves as linebackers coach, praised Konczal’s performance. “Luke played a really solid game. Some rust for everybody as we haven’t played a game in nine months, but overall a good day’s work from Luke,” Barnes said. On the team’s performance overall, Barnes said: “A game where we rose to the occasion in terms of physicality. Mount Mercy might be a new program, but they have some very good players and weren’t afraid to get after it in their first competition. I was proud of how we responded to that physicality on both sides of the ball.”
Konczal reflected on the gritty nature of the victory. “I think that last week’s performance was mainly just a gritty showing. We didn’t do everything perfectly, there were some mistakes that we expected since it was week 1, but overall the effort and physicality was amazing to see. Especially on the defensive side, the way that we flew around the field and hit guys was really special.”
Konczal’s Impressive Freshman Season
Konczal’s performance in the opener is no surprise given what he accomplished as a freshman last year at Grinnell. In the 2025 season, despite Grinnell finishing with a 2-8 record, Konczal led the team and the Midwest Conference with 105 total tackles — 49 solo and 56 assisted — with the next closest player on his team finishing with 60 and the next closest in the conference finishing with 98. He also added 4.5 tackles for loss on the season and grabbed an interception in his very first college game. He even contributed on offense, recording one carry for 47 yards and one reception for 20 yards despite playing linebacker. His performance earned him All-Midwest Conference Second Team and Academic All-Conference honors as a freshman.
Barnes said Konczal has exceeded expectations from the moment he arrived on campus. “We really liked Luke coming out of high school and were excited to get him on our team. He has nevertheless exceeded our expectations,” Barnes said. “I am coaching the LBs this season and am blown away not just by his physical tools and preparation, but his mental knowledge of the game. His instincts are excellent and he’s just a great football player. He is only going to get better!”
Konczal said the experience at Grinnell has been a rapid learning curve. “I would say that you learn a lot quickly here at Grinnell. We aren’t the biggest team numbers wise, so a good amount of 1st and 2nd years are going to be contributing for us on Saturdays. This really puts guys in some tough spots, but this year we have a team full of guys who want to be in those difficult situations,” he said. “I think that this freshman class, as well as our returners, are bringing a different kind of mindset and buy-in that we maybe didn’t get as much last year. I’m excited to see what this whole team can do as the year continues.”
A Special Moment Between Former Teammates
Konczal said seeing Smith on the other sideline was a memorable moment. “It was a pretty cool moment when I realized that I would be playing against Nolan last Saturday. We played football and basketball together in high school, and it was awesome to see us both playing at the next level,” Konczal said. “I always want to see all of my teammates and friends succeed, so seeing the two of us on the field together was a testament to both of our hard work.”
Smith talked about his process at the college level and echoed Konczal’s sentiments. “So the process has been going well — it’s a difficult process but in order to be great you’ve got to fall in love with it,” Smith said. “To play against a former teammate and former Trojan was awesome. It’s cool to see our development since playing together and I know we will both only go up from here.”
Smith did not see action in Mount Mercy’s first-ever varsity game, but the freshman offensive lineman is working his way into the program after capping off a standout senior season at Fairfield by earning First Team All-District and Academic All-District honors, along with the team’s Mark Campbell Offensive Lineman Award. He was a key member of Fairfield’s offensive line that helped power the state’s leading rushing attack in Class 3A during the regular season.
Also at Fairfield, Konczal was a three-time All-District linebacker who recorded a Class 3A state-leading 100.5 tackles as a senior. He also participated in basketball and baseball and was a member of the National Honor Society and Governor’s Scholar program.
Fairfield head football coach Matt Jones said he is proud of both former Trojans. “I am thrilled that both Luke and Nolan decided to further their education and incorporate football into their college experience at the collegiate level,” Jones said. “It is tough being a high school student-athlete, and so much harder at the college level. They will meet great people along the path and the connections and grit they will have through being a student-athlete at the college level will set them up for success all through their life. It is enjoyable to follow their individual progress and their respective teams. I know they will represent Trojan Nation with integrity and toughness!”
