The South Atlantic Conference released its preseason football coaches’ poll on Monday morning, and North Carolina programs made their presence known.
Lenoir-Rhyne, the league champion in 2023, earned the top spot in the poll with six first-place votes. Wingate, last year’s conference champion, came in second with two first-place votes, while Mars Hill and Catawba rounded out a strong showing for the Old North State with fifth and sixth-place rankings, respectively.
With four North Carolina teams inside the top six, the SAC coaches made it clear that the path to the league title runs through North Carolina.
This year’s SAC will feature 10 teams – Barton left for Conference Carolinas and Limestone University closed its doors after the spring. The conference will use a round-robin schedule and discontinue the league championship champ.
Lenoir-Rhyne is one of two NC teams predicted to win their conferences during preseason coaches balloting. Conference Carolinas coaches voted UNC Pembroke as a co-favorite to win that D2 league.
🐻 Lenoir-Rhyne Picked to Win SAC in 2025
After going 10-3 last season and winning a road playoff game at West Alabama, the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears begin 2025 as the preseason favorite to win the SAC. Second-year head coach Doug Socha’s squad earned six first-place votes and 85 total points in the poll.
The Bears will return several key playmakers and add depth through transfers and a strong freshman class. Six Bears were named to the SAC Preseason Watch List:
- James Ussery (DB)
- Maddox Aprile (DL)
- Tre’von Cooper (LB)
- Ryan Whetzel II (OL)
- Songa Yates (WR)
- Dominique Marshall (WR)
Lenoir-Rhyne opens the 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 29 at national power West Florida, then hosts Emory & Henry in their home opener.
🐶 Wingate Looks to Defend SAC Title
Wingate finished 9-2 last year and won the SAC Championship Game behind the No. 3 total defense in D2 football. The Bulldogs are picked second this year with 80 points and two first-place votes.
Second-year head coach Rashaan Jordan lost All-American defensive end Marquise Fleming but returns a talented group, including six preseason players to watch:
- Carlos Estronza (WR)
- Ethan Wallace (RB)
- Porfirio Acosta (OL)
- Kai Russell (DE)
- Jaquan Edwards (LB)
- Brandon Perry (DB)
The Bulldogs closed the 2024 campaign on a seven-game winning streak and reached the NCAA Playoffs for the sixth time in program history before falling to a red-hot Virginia Union team from the CIAA in the opening round of the D2 tournament.
🦁 Mars Hill Earns Top-5 Nod
Mars Hill earned 56 points in the poll to land in fifth place. The Lions went 5-2 in league play last fall, continuing their consistency with a fourth straight season of at least five SAC wins.
If you’re looking for a sleeper to disrupt the top of the standings, Mars Hill could fit that bill. Veteran head coach Tim Clifton, entering his 33rd season, leads a team that features six key returners on the Preseason Watch List:
- JR Martin (QB)
- Jon Gullette (RB)
- Caleb Lominac (TE)
- Sakarri Morrison (DE)
- Isaac Weaver (LB)
- Cherron Holt (DB)
🪶 Catawba Looks to Bounce Back
Despite a 1-7 SAC record in 2024, Catawba earned the No. 6 spot in the preseason poll, with league coaches recognizing the team’s competitiveness in a season plagued by injuries. Four of Catawba’s losses came by a combined 13 points.
Coach Tyler Haines continues to build his program at Catawba, and his third season at the helm could see a breakthrough, especially with experience returning at quarterback and wideout.
Preseason Players to Watch:
- Bo Pryor (WR)
- Preston Brown (QB)
- Evan Simons (DB)
- Dallas Foard (OL)
- Avery Swinton (OL)
- Kevin Lalin (RB)
2025 South Atlantic Conference Football | Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Lenoir-Rhyne – 85 points (6 first-place votes)
2. Wingate – 80 points (2 first-place votes)
3. Carson-Newman – 79 points (2 first-place votes)
4. Emory & Henry – 63 points
5. Mars Hill – 56 points
6. Catawba – 48 points
7. Newberry – 45 points
8. Anderson – 34 points
9. UVA Wise – 26 points
10. Tusculum – 24 points
