Sioux City, Iowa – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) has announced the preseason football coaches’ poll for the 2021 season. Morningside is the preseason pick to win the GPAC championship. The GPAC will add a football team this year with Mount Marty officially starting play.
Northwestern finished as the 2020 NAIA Runner-up. Morningside advanced to the semifinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series and was the 2019 and 2018 NAIA National Champions. The Mustangs totaled 98 points and eight (8) first place votes. Northwestern was picked second with 93points and three (3) first place vote. Dordt was picked third with 82 points and Midland was fourth with 73. Concordia rounded out the top five with 62 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
2021 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll:
Place Team Pts (1st Place Votes)
1. Morningside 98 (8)
2. Northwestern 93 (3)
3. Dordt 82
4. Midland 73
5. Concordia 62
6. Doane 50
7. Dakota Wesleyan 48
8. Hastings 40
9. Jamestown 27
10. Briar Cliff 19
11. Mount Marty 13
Games for the 2021 season kick off on Saturday, August 28 with a handful of teams playing non-conference games. Conference action starts on Saturday, September 4.
The Defenders concluded the 2020 season with a berth in the 16-team playoffs and finished the season with a program best 8-3 record. Dordt opens the 2021 season at home against Midland on Saturday, September 4. Dordt will play a 10-game GPAC schedule this season.
Following the run to the NAIA national championship this last spring, the No. 2-ranked Red Raiders football team was picked second by the GPAC Coaches entering the 2021 campaign. Finishing the 2020-21 season with an 11-2 mark, going 8-1 in GPAC play. Northwestern is set to return to the gridiron at the end of the month, being one of three GPAC teams to have a non-conference contest on August 28. The Red Raiders will travel to Aberdeen, S.D. to square off with Presentation College. GPAC play commences September 4 in Orange City against Hastings as the Raiders will celebrate senior day.
