Sioux City, Iowa – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) held their 18th annual football media day on Thursday, August 3, at the Marina Conference Center in South Sioux City, Nebraska. The day featured comments from all nine of the league’s football coaches in preparation for the 2017 season.
One of the highlights of the day is the release of the preseason coaches’ poll. Morningside is the preseason pick to win the GPAC championship. The Mustangs totaled 64 points and eight (8) first place votes. Dakota Wesleyan was picked second with 53 points & Doane third with 50 points and one (1) first place vote. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
2017 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll:
Place Team Pts (1st Place Votes)
1. Morningside 64 (8)
2. Dakota Wesleyan 53
3. Doane 50 (1)
4. Midland 36
5t. Concordia 35
5t. Northwestern 35
7. Dordt 24
8. Hastings 19
9. Briar Cliff 8
For the fifth year a media poll was conducted among those present at the press conference. Morningside was tabbed in the media poll to win the GPAC with 80 points and eight (8) first place votes, while Doane second with 72 points and one (1) first place vote. Dakota Wesleyan was picked third by the GPAC media with 60 points.
2017 GPAC Preseason Football Media Poll:
Place Team Pts (1st Place Votes)
1. Morningside 80 (8)
2. Doane 72 (1)
3. Dakota Wesleyan 60
4. Midland 46
5. Northwestern 44
6. Concordia 42
7t. Dordt 25
7t. Hastings 25
9. Briar Cliff 11
Games for the 2017 season kick off on Thursday, August 24, with Dakota Wesleyan traveling to Dakota State. Also in action on opening weekend are Briar Cliff and Morningside who travel to Waldorf and the University of Saint Francis respectively on August 26 in non-conference play. The GPAC schedule will consist of eight games in the conference. League games will being on September 16. The GPAC/KCAC Challenge games will be played on September 2.
