ROME, Ga. — For the first time in its 20-year history, Averett University football was voted as the 2019 favorite to win the USA South Conference as the league announced its preseason coaches poll on Friday.
Averett went a program-best 8-2 overall in 2018 while finishing with a 6-1 mark in conference play to finish second in the standings. With a strong returning cast, the coaches voted the Cougars No. 1 in this year's poll. Averett received four first-place votes to edge out defending conference champion Maryville College, which earned three first-place votes. Huntingdon College, which received the other first-place vote, was picked third. N.C. Wesleyan College, Methodist University, Brevard College, LaGrange College and Greensboro College round out the seven-team poll. Although Brevard counts toward conference play, the Tornados are ineligible for USA South championships this season while reclassifying to NCAA Division III.
Averett opens its season, its sixth under head coach
Cleive Adams, on Sept. 7 on the road against non-conference foe Hampden-Sydney College.
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2019 USA South Coaches Preseason Football Poll
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Rank
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Institution (1st Place Votes)
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Pts.
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1.
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Averett (4)
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46
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2.
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Maryville^ (3)
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43Â
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3.
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Huntingdon (1)
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38
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4.
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N.C. Wesleyan
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30
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5.
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Methodist
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25
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6.
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Brevard*
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18
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7.
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LaGrange
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17
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8.
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Greensboro
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7Â
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*Ineligible for NCAA Tournament (Div. III Reclassifying Member)
^Defending Champion
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