By Tad Dorsey
Preseason Poll:
1. Morningside (7) 96
2. Northwestern (2) 84
3.Dordt (1) 82
4. Jamestown (1) 77
5. Dakota Wesleyan 62
6. Concordia 57
7. Mount Marty 49
8. Briar Cliff 38
9. Hastings 28
10. Midland 22
11. Doane 10
The defending regular season champions, Morningside, are again the preseason favorites, securing 7 of the 11 top votes in the preseason poll. The Mustangs certainly lose a lot of talent from last season, but they are well coached and always dangerous. All-American Zach Imig returns and will look to lead the #7 Mustangs to another GPAC title! The Mustangs are the only GPAC team to be featured inside of the Top 25, while rivals Northwestern and Dordt are each receiving votes in the poll and each should be prime to compete for GPAC championship. Jamestown is certainly returning a lot of talent, and should be in the conversation of GPAC Title threats. The GPAC is always one of the toughest leagues in the country, so the rest of the league, may have a lot of questions to be answered yet, will always be tough! Dakota Wesleyan is prime example, a team that is usually in the Top 25, will have a new look after losing the reigning GPAC Player of the Year in Ty Hoglund. Another interesting team to watch is Concordia (NE), who was picked 6th, and is the reigning GPAC tournament champions. All in all it should be another fun year in the GPAC!
The GPAC continues play tonight with Jamestown hosting Oak Hills Christian at 7:00pm. Conference play kicks off on November 10th. It will be a competitive league top to bottom. We look forward to another year of GPAC coverage.
Conference Schedule (All times CT)
Friday October 23 7pm
Oak Hills Christian @ Jamestown
Saturday October 24 4pm
RV Bellevue @ Briar Cliff
Monday October 26 7pm
York @ Doane
Tuesday October 27 7:30pm
RV Dordt @ Kansas Wesleyan
Wednesday October 28 8pm
Presentation @ Jamestown
Friday October 30
Dickinson State vs. Briar Cliff (at Bellevue 11am)
Doane @ RV Bellevue (1pm)
Tabor vs. Concordia (at Hastings 5pm)
Oak Hills Christian @ Mount Marty (7pm)
Friends @ Hastings (7pm)
7 Morningside @ Kansas Wesleyan (8pm)
Valley City State @ Jamestown (8pm)
Saturday October 31
Doane vs. Dickinson State (11am)
Oak Hills Christian @ Mount Marty (noon)
Briar Cliff @ RV Bellevue (1pm)
Friends vs. Concordia (at Hastings 2pm)
Southwestern vs. 7 Morningside (3pm)
Grand View @ Midland (4pm)
Tabor @ Hastings (4pm)
GAMES OF THE WEEK
RV Bellevue @ Briar Cliff Saturday October 24 4pm
Valley City State @ Jamestown Friday October 30 8pm
Southwestern vs. 7 Morningside Saturday October 31 3pm