Statesmen Picked Third Again in Last Year in MWL
Findlay, Ohio–If the William Penn football team wants to make its final season in the Mid-States Football Association’s Midwest League a memorable one, it will have to pick up several big wins against formidable foes as the preseason coaches’ polls were released Thursday.
The Statesmen, who were 5-6 last year (3-3 MWL), are tied with St. Ambrose for third place in the MWL with 21 points. William Penn will become a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference in the fall of 2015.
Defending NAIA national champion Grand View is first in the MWL with 35 points and five first-place votes, while 2011 national champion Saint Xavier (Ill.) is a close second with 31 points and the final first-place nod. St. Ambrose is tied with WPU, while Trinity International (Ill.) (11 points) and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) (7 points) round out the order.
Besides playing three perennial powers–including two of the last three national champs–in league play, William Penn also faces off against 2012 trophy-raiser Marian (Ind.) and always talented St. Francis (Ind.) in MSFA crossover contests. St. Francis has been picked by the coaches to snag the Mideast League crown with 48 points and seven first-place votes.
Toss in games versus NCAA Division II South Dakota and 2012 Football Championship Series qualifier Bethel (Tenn.) and the 2014 slate is going to be full of high-intrigue matchups nearly each and every Saturday. Homecoming is set for September 27 against Taylor (Ind.) at 1 p.m.
2014 MSFA Midwest League Preseason Coaches’ Poll
School Points (First Place Votes)
1. Grand View 35 (5)
2. Saint Xavier 31 (1)
3. St. Ambrose 21
3. William Penn 21
5. Trinity International 11
6. Olivet Nazarene 7