ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team has been picked seventh in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches and Media Polls.
The poll was released Wednesday morning to kickoff MIAA Football Media Day at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Defending MIAA and national champion Northwest Missouri State was picked first in both polls. Both polls had Central Missouri at No. 2 with the Mules receiving one first place vote in the coaches poll. Pittsburg State also received a first place vote in the coaches poll, but tied in overall votes for No. 3 with Emporia State. The Gorillas are alone at No. 3 in the media poll with Emporia State at No. 4. The only real difference in the top-eight of both polls is the order for the fifth and sixth spots. Central Oklahoma was No. 5 in the coaches poll, but No. 6 in the media poll. Fort Hays State was at No. 6 in the coaches poll and No. 5 in the media poll.
Washburn was eighth in both polls. Nine through 12 in the polls showed some stark differences. Lindenwood came in at No. 9 in the media poll, but was last at No. 12 in the coaches poll. The coaches put Northeastern State at No. 9. At No. 10 in the coaches’ poll was Missouri Southern, which was No. 11 in the media poll. Nebraska-Kearney was slotted at No. 11 by the coaches and No. 12 by the media.
Missouri Western returns nine starters from a team that went 6-5 in 2015, the program’s 11th consecutive winning season. Head coach Jerry Partridge will look to keep that streak alive this season. In his 20th year as head coach, Partridge has delivered 16 winning seasons, never winning fewer than five games in any of his previous 19 seasons. The two-time MIAA Coach of the Year is 145-76 all-time at Missouri Western, most among active MIAA head coaches and third most all-time. Partridge has also led the Griffons into the postseason 10 times, including four trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs, the only four appearances in program history.
The Griffons open the newly renovated Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium on Sept. 1 against Nebraska-Kearney. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
— MWSU Athletics —