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