Huntingdon ranked No. 1 in USA South preseason football poll

FERRUM, Va. – The Huntingdon College football team earned top three finishes in each of its first two seasons in the USA South Athletic Conference.

Entering their third season in the conference, the Hawks are the preseason favorite in the conference preseason coaches' poll. The poll was released Thursday at the USA South Media Day at Ferrum College.

Huntingdon received six first-place votes and a total of 48 points.

"We have the same two goals this year that we've had the past two years, to win the conference and win the sportsmanship award. That's not going to change," Huntingdon football coach Mike Turk said. "Someone has to be voted as the preseason favorite. What will determine the conference champion will be about what we can accomplish between now and Thanksgiving."

Maryville College was second with one first-place vote and 42 points, followed by Methodist University in third with one first-place vote and 39 points.

After tying for third in the USA South in 2013, the Hawks were the conference runner-up last season with a 6-2 conference record and a 7-3 overall record. Maryville also finished with a 6-2 conference record last season, but lost head-to-head against Huntingdon. Christopher Newport, in its final season in the USA South, captured the 2014 conference title.

Rounding out the poll are No. 4 LaGrange College (27 points), No. 5 North Carolina Wesleyan (25 points), No. 6 Averett University (17 points), No. 7 Ferrum College (15 points) and No. 8 Greensboro College (11 points).

Huntingdon opens the season on Sept. 5 at home against Louisiana College.

2015 USA South Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Huntingdon (6 first-place votes), 48 points

2. Maryville (1), 42 points

3. Methodist (1), 39 points

4. LaGrange, 27 points

5. N.C. Wesleyan, 25 points.

6. Averett, 17 points

7. Ferrum, 15 points

8. Greensboro, 11 points