Davidson Picked Third in PFL Preseason Coaches’ Poll
8/6/2008 12:44:11 PM | Football
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson has been picked third and tied for the lead with three first-place votes in the Pioneer Football League Preseason Coaches' Poll, released today.
The top four teams in the poll are separated by just 10 points, and each received at least one first-place vote. San Diego is picked first with 58 points and received two first-place votes, and Dayton, last season's champion, is picked second with 55 points and three first-place votes.
The Wildcats also received three third-place votes and 51 points, while Morehead State is picked fourth with 48 points and a first-place tally. Drake (36) is picked fifth, and Jacksonville is sixth (29). Butler and Valparaiso are tied for seventh with 19 points each, while Campbell, playing its first varsity season in 58 years, rounds out the poll.
“Conventional wisdom around the league is that it's going to be a tight race from top to bottom and a battle every week,” said Davidson coach Tripp Merritt. “If there is a positive for us, it's that we play the two teams picked in front of us, San Diego and Dayton, at home this season and hopefully, we can use a home crowd to our advantage.”
The Wildcats have posted winning conference records in each of the last two seasons. Davidson finished third in the PFL?in 2006 and fourth in 2007. The 'Cats return 46 letterwinners and 17 starters to the 2008 team, including leading passer Ryan Alexander and their top-3 rushers in Chad Barnes, Justin Williams and Kenny Mantuo. Eight defensive starters are back as well, including three of the top-5 tacklers in Matt Easton, Peter Bakke and Kwame Som-Pimpong.
Davidson opens the 2008 campaign at UNC Pembroke Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. The PFL?slate begins Sept. 27, with a home game against Jacksonville at 1 p.m.
2008 PFL?Preseason Poll
1. San Diego (2) 58
2. Dayton (3) 55
3. Davidson (3) 51
4. Morehead State (1) 48
5. Drake 36
6. Jacksonville 29
7. Butler 19
Valparaiso 19
9. Campbell 9
First place votes in ( )
Eight points awarded for a first-place vote with one point for each succeeding place
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team
The top four teams in the poll are separated by just 10 points, and each received at least one first-place vote. San Diego is picked first with 58 points and received two first-place votes, and Dayton, last season's champion, is picked second with 55 points and three first-place votes.
The Wildcats also received three third-place votes and 51 points, while Morehead State is picked fourth with 48 points and a first-place tally. Drake (36) is picked fifth, and Jacksonville is sixth (29). Butler and Valparaiso are tied for seventh with 19 points each, while Campbell, playing its first varsity season in 58 years, rounds out the poll.
“Conventional wisdom around the league is that it's going to be a tight race from top to bottom and a battle every week,” said Davidson coach Tripp Merritt. “If there is a positive for us, it's that we play the two teams picked in front of us, San Diego and Dayton, at home this season and hopefully, we can use a home crowd to our advantage.”
The Wildcats have posted winning conference records in each of the last two seasons. Davidson finished third in the PFL?in 2006 and fourth in 2007. The 'Cats return 46 letterwinners and 17 starters to the 2008 team, including leading passer Ryan Alexander and their top-3 rushers in Chad Barnes, Justin Williams and Kenny Mantuo. Eight defensive starters are back as well, including three of the top-5 tacklers in Matt Easton, Peter Bakke and Kwame Som-Pimpong.
Davidson opens the 2008 campaign at UNC Pembroke Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. The PFL?slate begins Sept. 27, with a home game against Jacksonville at 1 p.m.
2008 PFL?Preseason Poll
1. San Diego (2) 58
2. Dayton (3) 55
3. Davidson (3) 51
4. Morehead State (1) 48
5. Drake 36
6. Jacksonville 29
7. Butler 19
Valparaiso 19
9. Campbell 9
First place votes in ( )
Eight points awarded for a first-place vote with one point for each succeeding place
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team
2026 Davidson Football Spring Zoom Call
Thursday, March 19
WEEK 12: Coaches Corner with Head Coach Saj Thakkar presented by Atrium Health.
Tuesday, November 18
WEEK 11: Coaches Corner with Head Coach Saj Thakkar presented by Atrium Health.
Tuesday, November 11
DC Football The Final Push, A Gridiron Club Check (11-04-25)
Friday, November 07
