Football

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - For a second straight year the Salisbury University football team was selected to finish second in the Atlantic Central Football Conference (ACFC) as the preseason poll was released Friday. The Sea Gulls received three first-place votes in the preseason poll, which is voted on by the conference coaches and sports information directors.

Wesley College, the three-time defending ACFC champions, were picked as the preseason favorite in the four-team conference. The Wolverines received five first-place votes. The Apprentice School and Frostburg State University round out the poll as the Builders were picked third and the Bobcats fourth, respectively.

"There is no surprise to see Wesley ranked No. 1 in the preseason ACFC poll," said SU coach Sherman Wood on Friday during the ACFC preseason press conference. "I was pleased to hear Salisbury received some first-place votes in the preseason poll."

Salisbury and Wesley are the two ACFC teams that have been ranked in the preseason by the various sport publications. The Sea Gulls are ranked in three of four preseason publications. SU has been ranked No. 11, No. 12 and No. 19 in those respective polls.

"We are a nationally recognized team," said Wood.

Wesley is ranked in all four preseason polls and was picked No. 2, No. 3 (twice) and No. 6.

"The preseason polls are great for the kids to see and to know people respect you but they are based on last year," said Wesley coach Mike Drass. "We are excited about getting started with this season."

The Sea Gulls begin ACFC play with a road trip to Newport News, Va., to face the Apprentice School on October 4 at 1:30 p.m. SU will host Wesley on November 1 in Sea Gull Stadium at 1 p.m. on Family Day for the Sea Gulls. Two weeks later, the Gulls close out the regular-season with a showdown with Frostburg State in the annual Regents Cup game. This year's game returns to Annapolis, Md., and will be held under the lights at 7 p.m. at the U.S. Naval Academy.

2008 ACFC Preseason Poll
1. Wesley
2. SALISBURY
3. Apprentice School
4. Frostburg State

Also see:

• 2008 ACFC Media Guide (PDF)
• Sea Gulls ranked No. 12 in D3football.com preseason poll
• Salisbury football selected in preseason rankings, Chandler tabbed as All-American candidate