Kansas City, Kan. -- The Missouri Southern football team has been picked to finish tenth by the media and 11th by the coaches when the MIAA released its preseason polls this morning as part of MIAA Media Day at Children's Mercy Park.
The Lions finished the 2016 season 2-9 overall and in tenth place in the final MIAA standings.
Southern brings back 33 letter winners, including 16 starters. Eight starters on offense and seven on defense return, while Brock Renken is back for his fourth year as the Lions' starting place kicker. Sophomore Josiah Bennett is back as the lone returning All-MIAA performer from 2016.
Two-time defending National Champion Northwest Missouri was the pick by both the coaches and media to repeat as league champions. The top six in both polls were identical with Emporia State second, followed by Central Missouri, Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State and Washburn. Missouri Western was seventh in the coaches poll followed by Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Northeastern State, Southern and Nebraska-Kearney. In the media poll, Central Oklahoma was seventh, followed Missouri Western, Lindenwood, Southern, Northeastern State and Nebraska-Kearney.
The Lions open the 2017 season at home on August 31 against Fort Hays State. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium is slated for 7 pm.
Both complete polls are listed below.
2017 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (9) 118
2. Emporia State (2) 108
3. Central Missouri (1) 106
4. Pittsburg State 88
5. Fort Hays State 83
6. Washburn 71
7. Missouri Western 58
8. Central Oklahoma 51
9. Lindenwood 37
10. Northeastern State 31
11. Missouri Southern 24
12. Nebraska-Kearney 17
2017 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (36) 464
2. Emporia State (3) 421
3. Central Missouri 383
4. Pittsburg State 347
5. Fort Hays State 316
6. Washburn 262
7. Central Oklahoma 227
8. Missouri Western 215
9. Lindenwood 145
10. Missouri Southern 108
11. Northeastern State 102
12. Nebraska-Kearney 52
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