Top Votes Split Amongst Four Teams
SALEM, Va. --- Hampden-Sydney College was one
of four schools to receive first place votes from the league's
coaches in the 2009 ODAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Tigers garnered two top nods and 44 poll points en route to the
#1 billing in the annual survey. Emory & Henry College
(38 points) and Bridgewater College (36) sit second and third with
both also receiving two first place votes. Randolph-Macon
College (27) earned the final top ranking.
Parity may best characterize the ODAC's gridiron profile this
season, much like it did during the previous campaign. Four
squads finished tied atop the conference with a 4-2 league record
in 2008. Randolph-Macon earned the conference title through
tie-breakers and moved on as the ODAC's automatic qualifier to the
NCAA Division III Tournament.
Hampden-Sydney (8-2 overall, 4-2 in the ODAC in 2008) looks for its
second berth into the national tourney in the last three
years. Back to lead the charge on offense is quarterback
Corey Sedlar. The senior signal caller sits within reach of
several ODAC and H-SC passing records, and will rely upon 6-foot
6-inch wide receiver Adam Gillette as his top target. Defense
could be a strength for the Tigers as the unit will see little
change from a season ago. The linebacking corps of Andrew
Sellers, Josh Miller and Trevor Ikwild remains intact with the
secondary just as strong, including the addition of safety Jamar
Lovelace following a return from injury.
Emory & Henry (6-4, 4-2) welcomes back several dynamic players
on both sides of the ball, including one of the league's top
all-purpose threats in junior Caleb Jennings. The Cedar
Bluff-native was one of two ODAC backs to rush for over 1,000 yards
last season. He also led the Wasps in receptions (21) and
returned two kicks for scores (one punt, one kick-off) amongst his
14 total touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Evin O'Sullivan
returns from injury to lead a talented defensive unit that includes
standout holdovers Andrew Giordani in the trenches and linebacker
Ed Smith.
Bridgewater (4-6, 3-3) returns many of its starters on both sides
of the ball from a season ago. On offense, quarterback Hagan
Driskell heads a strong list of skill position players that
includes top rusher David Argaud and deep threat Tyler
Beiler. Defensively, linebackers T.J. Montague, Scottie
Littles and converted safety Brandon Mitchell lead what should be a
very fast starting unit.
Randolph-Macon and reigning ODAC Coach of the Year, Pedro Arruza,
go in search of a second straight bid into the NCAA
tournament. On offense, quarterback Austin Faulkner looks to
build on last season's success that saw him run for 283 yards and
five touchdowns while passing for 1,747 yards and 17 scores.
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Gamal Alwan and
linebacker Christian Stahl head a unit that returns six starters to
the front seven.
Listed below is the entire 2009 ODAC Football Preseason Coaches'
Poll. For more information, visit any of the participating
schools' websites or the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.
2009 ODAC FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
(#) Denotes first place votes
School |
Points |
1. Hampden-Sydney (2) |
44 pts. |
2. Emory & Henry (2) |
38 pts. |
3. Bridgewater (2) |
36 pts. |
4. Randolph-Macon (1) |
27 pts. |
5. Catholic |
23 pts. |
6. Washington and Lee |
20 pts. |
7. Guilford |
8 pts. |