Thursday, August 1, 2002

GREYHOUNDS SELECTED SIXTH IN MAC PRESEASON FOOTBALL POLL

ANNVILLE, PA --- The Moravian College football team has been selected to finish sixth and Widener University was picked to win the 2002 Middle Atlantic Conference Championship based on a poll of the league head coaches.

Widener, the defending conference champion, received eight of a possible 11 first-place votes. The Pioneers advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Playoffs a year ago and return All-MAC quarterback Mike Warker who directed an explosive offense in 2001. Lycoming, 8-1 a season ago, is projected to finish second. The Warriors return five starters on offense and seven starters from the top defensive team in the conference.

King's garnered one first-place vote and was chosen to finish in third place. The Monarchs return all 11 starters on the defensive side of the ball anchored by All-American lineman Steven Wilson. Susquehanna was the coaches' choice to finish fourth after posting a 4-5 record in 2001. The Crusaders, who suffered through their first losing season since 1985, return nine offensive starters led by quarterback Mike Bowman and wide receiver Mark Bartosic.

Juniata earned a first-place vote and is predicted to finish fifth. The Eagles will ride the arm of quarterback Greg Troutman in 2002. Troutman earned the MAC Rookie of the Year award after throwing for 2,799 yards and 25 touchdowns.

The other first-place vote went to Moravian as the Greyhounds are predicted to finish sixth. Moravian head coach Scot Dapp, who is entering his 16th season, is seven wins shy of 100 for his career. If he is to reach that plateau, he will need solid performances from seniors quarterback Charlie Bowden (Parlin, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial HS), tailback Josh Fick (Emmaus, PA/Emmaus HS) and defensive back Jarrod Pence (Livingston, NJ/Livingston HS).

Wilkes was selected to finish seventh after recording a 4-6 record in 2001. In all, 16 starters return from last year including nine on the offensive side of the ball. Albright was selected to place eighth in 2002. The Lions return a total of 10 starters led by wide receiver Jason Scheerer.

Lebanon Valley, FDU-Florham and Delaware Valley round out the poll at ninth, tenth and eleventh. Lebanon Valley returns 15 starters from last year. FDU-Florham has 13 starters back from last season including running back Ed Cracchiolo. Delaware Valley has 15 starters returning from the 2001 season, including eight on the offensive side of the ball.

2002 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL

First-place votes in parentheses