FOOTBALL TABBED TO FINISH SIXTH IN PRESEASON GSC COACHES' POLL; THREE WONDER BOYS NAMED ALL-GSC SELECTIONS

         RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Football has been selected to finish sixth for the second consecutive season in the Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Tuesday by the league office in Hoover, Ala.

Tech, who finished with a 5-5 overall record last season, received 58 points in the poll to finish three points behind fifth-place Harding (61 points) and 22 points point in front of seventh place West Alabama (36 points). Defending NCAA Division II National Champion Valdosta State was tabbed to take home the league title as the Blazers received 95 points and six of a possible 11 first place votes. North Alabama was picked second with 94 points and received four first place votes, while Delta State, the defending GSC Champions, was tabbed third as the Statesmen earned 84 points and the lone remaining first place vote.

The preseason poll was voted on by the league’s 11 head coaches and the coaches weren’t allowed to vote for their own teams.

Tech, who returns 15 starters and 41 lettermen from last season’s team, received three votes for fourth, four votes for fifth, two votes for sixth and one vote for eighth place.

Henderson State was picked to finish fourth as the Reddies earned 68 points. Following HSU, Harding, Tech and West Alabama in the poll is West Georgia (32 points) at No. 8. Southern Arkansas was tabbed ninth with 30 points, while Ouachita Baptist was picked 10th with 24 points and Arkansas-Monticello rounds out the poll at No. 11 as the Boll Weevils earned 23 points.

In addition to releasing its preseason poll, the league also released its preseason All-GSC Team and the Wonder Boys had three players represented on the league’s preseason team. Senior receiver Tracey Stiger (Russellville, Ark.) and senior offensive tackle Jeremy Ashcraft (Marshall, Texas) were named to the All-GSC Offense, while senior Michael Podobnik (Frankfort, Ill.) was named as the Preseason All-GSC punter. Stiger and Ashcraft were Second-Team All-GSC selections last season, while Podobnik was a First-Team All-GSC honoree and a unanimous All-American in 2007.

The Wonder Boys, who open up preseason practice on Aug. 6, kick-off the 2008 season on Thursday, Aug. 28 when they welcome Northeastern State to Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field for a 7 p.m. contest.

2008 GSC Preseason Football Release

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