HICKORY, N.C. – The South Atlantic Conference announced its preseason football coaches’ poll on Monday and Lenoir-Rhyne was predicted to finish second.
LRU earned four first-place votes and 112 points in the poll, trailing Newberry who had eight first-place votes and 118 total points after winning the league crown a year ago.
The league also announced its Preseason All-SAC first and second teams with the Bears heavily represented. On the offensive side, RB Dwayne McGee, WR Deondre Lester and OL Blake Jefferson and Bryce Heidinger were named First Team nominees. Kelin Parsons was voted in as a Second Team Preseason All-Conference selection.
Defensively, LB Jon Ross Maye and DL Andre Jefferson were the lone selections with each being named to the first team.
On special teams, return specialist Ryan Carter was named a First-Teamer.
Lenoir-Rhyne opens the 2022 season on September 3rd when they host Virginia State at the New Moretz Stadium.
2022 SAC Football Preseason Poll
Rank
School (1st Place Votes)
1. Newberry (8)
2. Lenoir-Rhyne (4)
3. Wingate
4. Mars Hill
5. Tusculum
6. UVA Wise
7. Catawba
8. Carson-Newman
9. Limestone
10. Emory & Henry
11. Erskine