FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2008

Lions picked to finish seventh in MIAA preseason coaches poll

Kansas City, Mo. - Fresh off a 6-5 campaign, the coaches of the MIAA have picked the Missouri Southern football program to finish seventh in their preseason poll announced today during the 2008 MIAA Football Kickoff Luncheon at the Arrowhead Club.

Last year's national runner up, Northwest Missouri was picked to repeat as league champs, earning six of the ten first place votes. League newcomer Nebraska-Omaha picked up three first place votes and was picked second, followed by Pittsburg State, Washburn and Missouri Western to round out the top five. Central Missouri was sixth, followed by Southern, Truman, Fort Hays and Emporia State.

The Lions were 6-5 last year with a 4-5 mark in league play. Southern returns 19 starters, including nearly all the top defense in the MIAA last season. The Lions open fall practice this Thursday, August 7 and open the regular season at home on August 30 at 6 pm against Harding.

     School                          Pts
  1. Northwest Missouri State (6).... 76
  2. Nebraska-Omaha (3).............. 73
  3. Pittsburg State (1)............. 64
  4. Washburn ....................... 55
  5. Missouri Western................ 51
  6. Central Missouri................ 47
  7. Missouri Southern............... 33
  8. Truman.......................... 22
  9. Fort Hays State................. 17
 10. Emporia State................... 12
   
Points awarded on an 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. 
Coaches could not vote for their own school.