The Emporia State football team is picked 6th by both the Coaches and Media in preseason polls released today as part of MIAA Football Media Day.
The top 6 teams are the same in both polls.
Northwest Missouri State is number 1 followed by Nebraska Kearney, Pittsburg State is 3rd, Washburn 4th, and Fort Hays State 5th.
After Emporia State in the Coaches Poll- Central Missouri and Missouri Western are tied for 7th place. Central Oklahoma is 9th, Missouri Southern, Northeastern State, and Lincoln round out the 12 teams.
In the media poll, Missouri Western is 7th, Central Oklahoma 8th, Central Missouri 9th, Missouri Southern, Northeastern State, and Lincoln round out the poll.
Emporia State Coach Garin Higgins returns 10 starters on offense and 6 starters on defense from a team that was 6-6 a year ago with 5 of those losses by a touchdown or less.
One of the returning starters on offense is Junior quarterback Braden Gleason. He said he learned a lot last season.
One of the returnees on defense is linebacker Dawson Hammes. He says he is looking forward to his senior season.
The Hornets open training camp on August 8th and kick off the season on September 1st at home against Northeastern State.
