William Penn Picked to Win MWL
William Penn University Athletics
Findlay, Ohio–The Statesmen football team has suddenly become the hunted as the Mid-States Football Association’s Preseason Coaches Polls were released today.
William Penn, who was 10-1 a year ago and tied for the Midwest League title at 6-1, tops the eight-team division with 55 points and six first-place votes out of the seven ballots entered. It is the first time the program has been picked to win the conference since joining in 2002.
With defending co-champion McKendree gone (transitioning to NCAA Division II), William Penn has taken over the position as top team, but rival Grand View is nipping at its heels. The Vikings received the other first-place vote and hold 49 points.
In what could determine the MWL crown and the automatic berth to the NAIA playoffs, the two programs meet in Des Moines for the regular season finale on November 12.
St. Francis (Ill.) is third with 41 points, while St. Ambrose is also considered in the mix with 36 points. Trinity International (Ill.) (23 points), Iowa Wesleyan (22 points), Waldorf (17 points), and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) (nine points) round out the poll.
William Penn will have to be a road warrior this season with all three of its top league games contested away from Oskaloosa (vs. St. Francis in Joliet, Ill. on October 8 and vs. St. Ambrose in Davenport on November 5).
The Statesmen begin 2011 by hosting Iowa Wesleyan on August 27 at 6 p.m. Homecoming is set for October 29 against Trinity International.
In the Mideast League, two-time defending champion Saint Xavier (Ill.) is a unanimous choice to win again with 30 points, while St. Francis (Ind.) is second with 24 points.
2011 MSFA Midwest League Preseason Coaches Poll
School Points (First Place Votes)
- William Penn 55 (6)
- Grand View 49 (1)
- St. Francis (Ill.) 41
- St. Ambrose 36
- Trinity International 23
- Iowa Wesleyan 22
- Waldorf 17
- Olivet Nazarene 9
