MSSU football picked 10th in preseason polls

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern football team has been picked tenth in both the coaches and media preseason football polls as the league announced this morning during the 2019 MIAA Football Media Day at the Kaufman Foundation Center.

When the 2019 season gets underway, there will be a new leader on the sidelines for the Lions as head coachJeff Sims starts year number one leading the Green and Gold at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

Last year's MIAA Co-Champs split the polls as Fort Hays State was picked to win the league by the coaches and Northwest Missouri was picked by the media. In the coaches poll, Fort Hays picked up six first-place votes for 114 points, while Northwest Missouri had five first-place votes for 112 points. Pittsburg State was third with one first-place vote, followed by Central Oklahoma, Central Missouri, Emporia State, Missouri Western, Washburn, Nebraska-Kearney, the Lions, Northeastern State and Lincoln.

In the media poll, Northwest picked up 32 first-place votes, while Fort Hays State had seven and the Lions had one first-place vote. Northwest had 471 points with Fort Hays picking up 433. Pittsburg State was third, followed by Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma, Emporia State, Missouri Western, Washburn, Nebraska-Kearney, Missouri Southern, Northeastern State and Lincoln to round out the poll. Both polls can be found below.

The Lions return nine starters from last year's team, including All-MIAA performers in defensive lineman Levi Marlay and punter Riley Hathorn. Sims, as well as Marlay and running back Shemar Coleman were in Kansas City to address the media.

Southern opens the season at home on September 5 against Nebraska-Kearney. The Lions host Central Missouri on October 5 for Homecoming and Washburn on October 19 for the annual Hall of Fame game.

2019 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll 1. Fort Hays State (6) - .................. 114 points 2. Northwest Missouri (5) - ............. 112 points 3. Pittsburg State (1) - ..................... 97 points 4. Central Oklahoma - ...................... 90 points 5. Central Missouri - ........................ 80 points 6. Emporia State - ........................... 73 points 7. Missouri Western - ....................... 57 points 8. Washburn - ................................. 54 points 9. Nebraska Kearney - ..................... 46 points 10. Missouri Southern - ............. 34 points 11. Northeastern State - .................. 23 points 12. Lincoln -.............................. 12 points 2019 MIAA Preseason Media Poll 1. Northwest Missouri (32) - ........... 471 points 2. Fort Hays State (7) - .................. 433 points 3. Pittsburg State - ......................... 378 points 4. Central Missouri - ....................... 336 points 5. Central Oklahoma - .................... 313 points 6. Emporia State - .......................... 264 points 7. Missouri Western - ..................... 245 points 8. Washburn - ................................ 234 points 9. Nebraska Kearney - .................... 194 points 10. Missouri Southern (1) - ..... 120 points 11. Northeastern State - ................... 79 points 12. Lincoln - .............................. .52 points