SAN ANTONIO, Texas (July 20) – Central Oklahoma has been tabbed for a third-place finish in the Lone Star Conference North Division football race in 2010, according to the preseason poll released here Tuesday during the league's annual Media Day Banquet.
Defending champion Texas A&M-Commerce earned the favorite's tag, receiving 12 first-place votes and ending with 123 points in balloting of North Division head coaches, sports information directors and various media members.
Southeastern Oklahoma had three first-place votes and 110 points, while the Bronchos finished with 95 points and two first-place votes. Eastern New Mexico, new to the North Division this year, was fourth in the poll with two first-place votes and 76 points.
Rounding out the poll was Northeastern State (63 points), Southwestern Oklahoma (40) and East Central (25).
UCO has 28 lettermen from last year's 4-7 team, including 19 who started at least one game. The Bronchos won three of their last four games to end up third in the North Division and ninth in the overall LSC standings.
“One word to describe our team is we're definitely young,” said third-year head coach Tracy Holland. “But a lot of our young guys played last year and we're more athletic at a number of positions.
“We never step on the football field without expecting to compete for a championship, but we know we have to step up to the challenge every week in this league.”
The Bronchos are paced defensively by returning first-team All-LSC North linebacker Tucker Cason and offensively by a pair second-team All-LSC North selections -- wide receiver Daniel Morrell and lineman Cody Hughes.
Players report to campus on Aug. 6 for the start preseason drills and UCO opens the season Aug. 28 by hosting Pittsburg State in a showdown between two of the winningest programs in NCAA Division II history.
A&M-C linebacker Cory Whitfield was named the North Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, with SOSU running back Baylen Laury selected as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
West Texas A&M was the preseason favorite for the South Division, followed by Abilene Christian, Midwestern State, Tarleton State, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Angelo State and Incarnate Word.
