Statesmen End Year at #23

William Penn Athletics

Oskaloosa–The William Penn football team finished the 2015 campaign in the top 25 as the NAIA released its final rating Sunday.

The Statesmen (7-4, 3-2 North) fell four spots from last week to 23rd with 38 points (Faulkner is tied with WPU). The navy and gold unfortunately could not extend its season to the playoffs, while the Heart of America Athletic Conference will be represented in the NAIA Football Championship Series by #2 Baker (Kan.) and #3 Grand View.

Morningside (340 points, 14 first-place votes) enters postseason action at #1, while Baker, Grand View, Saint Francis (Ind.) (final first-place vote), and Montana Tech round out the top five.

NAIA Football Final Rating – November 15, 2015
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Morningside (14)
2. Baker (Kan.)
3. Grand View
4. Saint Francis (Ind.) (1)
5. Montana Tech
6. Marian (Ind.)
7. Southern Oregon
8. Tabor (Kan.)
9. Doane (Neb.)
10. Kansas Wesleyan
11. Campbellsville (Ky.)
12. Reinhardt (Ga.)
13. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
14. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
15. Montana Western
16. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
17. Point (Ga.)
18. Dickinson State (N.D.)
18. St. Francis (Ill.)
20. St. Ambrose
21. Benedictine (Kan.)
22. Arizona Christian
23. William Penn
23. Faulkner (Ala.)
25. Georgetown (Ky.)

Others receiving votes: Robert Morris (Ill.) 12; Sterling (Kan.) 10; Cumberlands (Ky.) 10; Concordia (Neb.) 3; Peru State (Neb.) 3.

NAIA Football Championship Series First-Round Pairings
Saint Xavier (Ill.) (7-3) at Morningside (10-1)
Point (Ga.) (8-2) at Baker (Kan.) (10-1)
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (8-2) at Grand View (10-1)
Reinhardt (Ga.) (9-1) at Saint Francis (Ind.) (9-0)
Dickinson State (N.D.) (8-2) at Montana Tech (9-1)
Campbellsville (Ky.) (8-2) at Marian (Ind.) (8-2)
Kansas Wesleyan (10-1) at Southern Oregon (8-2)
Doane (Neb.) (9-1) at Tabor (Kan.) (10-1)