The USA South Athletic Conference released its 2024 preseason football coaches’ poll earlier this week, and all four North Carolina teams are stacked together in the middle.
Brevard College leads the Old North State group, picked to finish fourth, followed by North Carolina Wesleyan 5th, Greensboro 6th and Methodist 7th in the eight-team league.
Brevard College: Fourth Place with Strong Potential
Brevard College, entering its seventh season in the USA South after transitioning from Division II to Division III, received one first-place vote.
The Tornados have consistently performed well in their new league, boasting a 26-13 conference record over the past six seasons. Last season, Brevard finished 5-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play, the best record among North Carolina teams in the USA South.
Brevard’s 2024 campaign kicks off on September 14th against Hampden-Sydney College, followed by their conference opener at home against defending champion Belhaven University on September 21st.
North Carolina Wesleyan: Fifth Place with Competitive Edge
North Carolina Wesleyan, ranked fifth in the preseason poll with 35 points, is looking to continue to build after finishing 4-6 overall and 4-3 in conference. The 2023 campaign included a four-game win streak. The Battling Bishops open their season on the road against Averett on September 7th.
Greensboro College: Sixth Place with a Tough Road Ahead
Greensboro College, picked sixth with 24 points, also is hoping to build after a solid finish to the campaign. The Pride went 2-8 overall, 2-5 in the league but won its final two games. The Greensboro season opens with the annual Soup Bowl contest against city rival Guilford College on Saturday, Sept. 7 at noon.
Methodist University: Seventh Place with Room for Growth
Methodist University rounds out the North Carolina teams in the seventh spot, garnering 23 points in the poll. Like Greensboro, Methodist is coming off a tough 2-8 season (2-5 in the conference) and will look to build momentum as they host Shenandoah on September 7th.
Conference Overview: Huntingdon Leads the Pack
Huntingdon College was picked as the preseason favorite, topping the poll with 59 points and three first-place votes. The Hawks, who finished last season with a 6-1 conference record, have a strong history of living up to preseason expectations, having been picked first seven times and winning the title five of those times since joining the conference in 2013.
Defending champion Belhaven University and Maryville College tied for second in the voting with 55 points each, with Belhaven earning two first-place votes and Maryville three.
2024 USA South Coaches Preseason Football Poll:
- Huntingdon (3) – 59 points
- Belhaven (2) – 55 points
- Maryville (3) – 55 points
- Brevard (1) – 45 points
- N.C. Wesleyan – 35 points
- Greensboro – 24 points
- Methodist – 23 points
- Southern Virginia – 15 points
- LaGrange – 13 points
NOTE: North Carolina Football News will release its D3 “All-North Carolina” preseason watch list later this week, along with our statewide D3 team power rankings.
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