The William Penn football team will be a contender right out of the gate as the Heart of America Athletic Conference preseason coaches’ polls were released Monday.
The Statesmen, who were 7-4 last year (3-2 MSFA MWL), have been picked for third place in the North Division with 44 points and one first-place vote.
Rival Grand View, which also makes its HAAC debut this fall, is the top choice in the North with 49 points and four first-place nods, while Benedictine (Kan.) narrowly edged WPU for the runner-up slot with 45 points and the final first-place vote.
Graceland (36 points), Peru State (34), and Culver-Stockton (32) rounded out the poll.
On the South side, MidAmerica Nazarene matched Grand View with 49 points and four votes at the top. Missouri Valley, with 46 points, and Baker, with 43 points, also earned one first-place spot. Evangel (37), Central Methodist (35), and Avila (30) finished out that rating.
All 12 teams will play each other in a true round-robin format. The winners of each division will receive automatic berths to the NAIA Football Championship Series.
William Penn’s 2015 campaign begins on August 29 with a road game in Marshall, Mo. against Missouri Valley at 6 p.m. The team has five home games at Lacey Complex Stadium, including Homecoming on October 3 (1 p.m. kickoff) versus Avila. The Statesmen will show off their goods for the nation as part of the Niles Media agreement on October 31 in a matchup with Benedictine (Kan.) (11 a.m. start).
While the NAIA’s preseason poll has yet to be released, the HAAC was well represented last spring with Grand View at #6, Missouri Valley at #8, MidAmerica Nazarene at #9, Baker at #16, WPU at #18, and Benedictine (Kan.) at #25.
2015 HAAC North Division Preseason Coaches’ Poll
School Points (First Place Votes)
1. Grand View–49 (4)
2. Benedictine (Kan.)–45 (1)
3. William Penn–44 (1)
4. Graceland–36
5. Peru State–34
6. Culver-Stockton—32
2015 HAAC South Division Preseason Coaches’ Poll
School Points (First Place Votes)
1. MidAmerica Nazarene–49 (4)
2. Missouri Valley–46 (1)
3. Baker–43 (1)
4. Evangel–37
5. Central Methodist–35
6. Avila–30
Story provided by Wade Steinlage, WPU Sports Information Director
