Statesmen Tied for Second in North Coaches’ Poll

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–The William Penn football program will undoubtedly give a fight to all of its 2016 opposition as the Heart of America Athletic Conference preseason coaches’ polls were released Monday.

WPU (7-4 last year, 3-2 North) received 43 points and one first-place vote to tie Benedictine for second in the North Division.

Defending champion Grand View tops the North with 50 points and the other five first-place nods. Graceland (39), Peru State (35), and Culver-Stockton (30) round out the poll.

Baker is the odds-on-favorite to defend its South crown with 50 points and five first-place votes. MidAmerica Nazarene is second with 45 points and the last first-place vote, while Missouri Valley (43) is third. Evangel and Central Methodist (35) are tied for fourth, and Avila (32) wraps up the 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.

The 2016 Statesmen campaign begins on August 29 as the team hosts Missouri Valley at 6 p.m. The team has a total of six home games at Lacey Complex Stadium this fall, including Homecoming on October 15 (1 p.m. kickoff) versus Peru State. The Statesmen will also get to play on the national scene twice as part of the Niles Media agreement, highlighted on September 10 with a home game with Baker (11 a.m. start).

The NAIA has yet to release its preseason poll, but the Heart was well represented last spring with Baker at #5, Grand View at #6, Benedictine at #20, and WPU at #25.

2016 Heart North Division Preseason Coaches’ Poll
School Points (First Place Votes)
1. Grand View–50 (5)
2. William Penn–43 (1)
2. Benedictine–43
4. Graceland–39
5. Peru State–35
6. Culver-Stockton–30

2016 Heart South Division Preseason Coaches’ Poll
School Points (First Place Votes)
1. Baker–50 (5)
2. MidAmerica Nazarene–45 (1)
3. Missouri Valley–43
4. Evangel–35
4. Central Methodist–35
6. Avila–32