FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2007

Lions picked to finish seventh in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

Kansas City, Mo. - The Missouri Southern football team has been picked to finish seventh in the MIAA preseason coaches poll as announced by the league office today in the MIAA Football Kickoff Luncheon at the Arrowhead Club.

Defending champ Northwest Missouri was the unanimous selection to repeat as league champs. Pittsburg State was second followed by Washburn, Central Missouri, Missouri Western, Truman State, Southern, Emporia State, Fort Hays State and Southwest Baptist. SBU is in its final season as an MIAA football opponent. Nebraska-Omaha will take their place in 2008.

Southern finished 5-6 in coach Bart Tatum's first campaign and return the bulk of its offensive firepower from a season ago. Back is quarterback Adam Hinspeter, wide receivers Colin Bado and Isaac Norman, as well as running back Ronnell Newman. Tight end Korrie Henry ended the season injured but returns to the lineup.

In all, the Lions return eight starters on offense including Hinspeter, Bado, Newman, Norman, Henry, Anthon Aiono, Ryan McCluskey and Matt Stout. They return six on the defensive side of the ball including defensive backs Mark Watson and Kellen Anderson, linebackers Rudy Mascaro and Jared Brawner, and defensive linemen BJ Russow and Elbert Johnson.

Southern starts the 2007 season at NAIA Haskell University in Lawrence, Kansas on Thursday, August 30. The Lions have their home opener one week later in Hughes Stadium against Harding University. The Lions defeated Harding 30-27 last year on the road. Southern will open up the MIAA season at home against Pittsburg State in the tenth annual US Cellular Miners Bowl X on September 15.

To see the 2007 Lions football schedule, click here: 2007 Lions Football Schedule.