Huntingdon College
Football
From the Sports Information Department
Huntingdon College
August 22, 2008
Huntingdon Chosen As Preseason Favorite In SLIAC Coaches' Poll
ST. LOUIS - In its first-ever season in a conference, the Huntingdon football team has been selected as the preseason favorite to capture the 2008 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship, as voted on by the league’s eight coaches.
The Hawks (5-5 in 2007) received six first place votes, while Greenville (5-5, 4-3 IBC) earned the top spot from the remaining two voters, the SLIAC announced on Friday. Westminster (4-6, 4-3 UMAC) was voted to finish third, while nearby rival LaGrange (0-10) was picked fourth. Blackburn (4-6, 3-4 UMAC) and Eureka (2-8, 2-5 IBC) were selected to finish fifth and sixth, respectively, while the Huntingdon’s inaugural SLIAC opponent, MacMurray (0-10, 0-7 IBC), was chosen seventh. Principia (1-8, 1-6 UMAC) was picked eighth.
“This tells us a lot about what other coaches in the league think about our program,” head coach Mike Turk said. “We (members of the SLIAC) don’t really know a whole lot about each other, but I do know that by being the preseason favorite, we will have a bulls eye on our back every Saturday.”
Huntingdon returns 31 lettermen from its 2007 squad that competed as a NCAA Division III independent.
Senior linebacker Granger Shook anchors the defense and has led the squad in tackles each of his first three seasons. Last season, he tallied 83 total stops, including eight for loss. He also added a pair of interceptions.
The Hawks also return senior linebacker Caleb Hartin and senior safety Kenny Cieri, as well as junior defensive end Mike Payson, all of which recorded more than 50 tackles last season.
On offense, senior tailback Jamal Gardner returns for his final season 31 yards short of 1,000 for his career. He is joined in the backfield by sophomore Miguel Gilmore, who appeared in all 10 games as a freshman and saw significant action on the ground, as a receiver and also in the return game.
Junior quarterback Justin Ridgeway takes over under center for the Hawks. Ridgeway started in two games for the Hawks and saw significant action in a third, completing 36-of-61 passes for 419 yards and six scores.
Ridgeway will benefit by having Huntingdon’s top receiving threat back in junior Steven Laye, who recorded 27 catches for 451 yards and five touchdowns during his sophomore season.
The 2008 season marks the first time since 1999 that the Conference will sponsor football as a Championship sport. Huntingdon and LaGrange College both joined the SLIAC as affiliate members in football only, and they join a core group of institutions that will have the opportunity to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs beginning with the 2010 season.
Huntingdon will open its 2008 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 6, when it hosts Maryville at Samford Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon.
2008 SLIAC Coaches’ Poll (First-Place Votes)
1. HUNTINGDON (6)
2. Greenville (2)
3. Westminster
4. LaGrange
5. Blackburn
6. Eureka
7. MacMurray
8. Principia
