Hawks ranked 2nd in USA South preseason football poll

DANVILLE, Va. – The Huntingdon College football team may be a newcomer to the USA South Athletic Conference, but the conference coaches think highly of their newest member.

Entering its first year of competition in the USA South, Huntingdon is ranked No. 2 in the preseason coaches' poll. The poll was released Monday at the conference Media Day at Averett University.

Christopher Newport is the coaches' preseason favorite. The Captains received four first-place votes and a total of 56 points. Huntingdon was second with three first-place votes and 55 points.

Christopher Newport has won or shared the conference title nine times in the past 12 seasons. The Captains, Maryville and Ferrum tied for the conference title last season.

Ferrum is third in the preseason poll with 54 points and one first-place vote and Maryville is fourth with 44 points. Rounding out the poll are Methodist (one first-place vote and 37 points), LaGrange (32 points), Greensboro (21 points), North Carolina Wesleyan (13 points) and Averett (12 points).

Huntingdon opens the season on Sept. 14 at Mississippi College. At 6 p.m.

2013 USA South Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Christopher Newport (4 first-place votes), 56 points

2. Huntingdon (3), 55 points

3. Ferrum (1), 54 points

4. Maryville, 44 points

5. Methodist (1), 37 points.

6. LaGrange, 32 points

7. Greensboro, 21 points

8. N.C. Wesleyan, 13 points

9. Averett, 12 points