WPU Receiving Votes in Preseason Ranking
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn football team collected a nice boost early on in preseason camp as it is receiving votes in the NAIA’s preseason poll which was released Monday.
The Statesmen, who were 4-7 a year ago (2-3 Heart North), are unofficially 28th with 20 points. It is the first time the program has been in the poll since last year’s preseason list (30th).
WPU is one of five ranked squads from the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Defending national runner-up Benedictine is second, while Baker is eighth, Grand View is 12th, and Evangel is 18th.
Defending national champion Morningside tops the rating with 366 points and all 16 first-place votes, while Saint Francis (Ind.), Kansas Wesleyan, and Saint Xavier (Ill.) round out the top five.
The navy and gold and Evangel square off in Oskaloosa for the 2019 season opener on August 31 at noon.
NAIA Football Preseason Rating – August 5, 2019
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Morningside (16)
2. Benedictine (Kan.)
3. Saint Francis (Ind.)
4. Kansas Wesleyan
5. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
6. Concordia (Mich.)
7. Marian (Ind.)
8. Baker (Kan.)
9. Dickinson State (N.D.)
10. Reinhardt (Ga.)
11. Northwestern
12. Grand View
13. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
14. Langston (Okla.)
15. College of Idaho
16. Bethel (Tenn.)
17. Cumberlands (Ky.)
18. Evangel (Mo.)
19. Southeastern (Fla.)
20. Southern Oregon
21. Georgetown (Ky.)
22. Ottawa (Kan.)
23. Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
24. Dordt
25. Montana Western
Others Receiving Votes: Siena Heights (Mich.) 25, Cumberland (Tenn.) 22, William Penn 20, Eastern Oregon 18, Montana Tech 9, Ottawa (Ariz.) 9, Arizona Christian 6, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 5, Ave Maria (Fla.) 5, Valley City State (N.D.) 1, Tabor (Kan.) 1, Tabor (Kan.) 1, Avila (Mo.), Campbellsville (Ky.) 1.
