LHU Gridders Tabbed Sixth in PSAC East
LOCK HAVEN – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) has released the 2017 PSAC Coaches’ Poll and the Lock Haven University football team was selected No. 6 in the Eastern Division.
West Chester received all eight first-place votes in the East and was tabbed by the coaches as the preseason-favorite. Kutztown was voted second and Shippensburg rounded out the top-three. Bloomsburg checked in at No. 4 and East Stroudsburg at No. 5, just before LHU at No. 6. Millersville was picked seventh and Cheyney sits at No. 8.
In the Western Division, IUP grabbed six of eight first-places votes and was picked as the favorite. California (Pa.) picked up the remaining two first-places votes and was voted No. 2. Slippery Rock rounded out the top-three and was followed by No. 4 Edinboro, No. 5 Gannon, No. 6 Seton Hill, No. 7 Clarion and No. 8 Mercyhurst.
For the second consecutive season, Lock Haven is scheduled to play Edinboro, Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst from the West.
Last season, Lock Haven went 4-7 overall with all four wins coming against PSAC East opponents, including Cheyney, Millersville, Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg. The Bald Eagles finished 4-3 in PSAC East play.
Third-year head coach Dave Taynor and his Haven program will look to build off its 2016 campaign. The four wins last season were the most since Lock Haven won four games during the 2002 season. The four PSAC Divisional wins were the most since the 1979 season. As a team, LHU broke single-season records for total points (323 pts.), total offense (4,954 yds.) and team passing offense (3,158 yds.).
The Bald Eagles – who return four All-Conference players including All-American tight end Del’Vaughn Dennis and offensive lineman Trent Fielding – report back to campus this Friday, Aug. 11 for preseason camp.
LHU will kick off the 2017 season at NCAA Division I (FCS) Saint Francis on Saturday, September 2 (12 p.m.) in Loretto, Pennsylvania.
2017 PSAC Football Preseason Coaches’ Polls:
East:
*(first-place votes)
1. West Chester (8)
2. Kutztown
3. Shippensburg
4. Bloomsburg
5. East Stroudsburg
6. Lock Haven
7. Millersville
8. Cheyney
West:
1. IUP (6)
2. California (2)
3. Slippery Rock
4. Edinboro
5. Gannon
6. Seton Hill
7. Clarion
8, Mercyhurst
