ENMU fourth in preseason football poll

Traditional football power Texas A&M-Kingsville is expected to continue its dominance of the Lone Star Conference this fall as the Javelinas have been picked to win the league’s South Division, according to the annual preseason poll that was announced Friday morning by conference officials.

TAMUK, which has shared the past two South Division titles, received first-place votes on 19 of 20 ballots in the voting that was conducted by LSC coaches and sports information directors and various media representatives. The Javelinas totaled 135 points in the poll to finish comfortably ahead of second-place Midwestern State’s 113 points.

Midwestern, which has posted three consecutive 7-4 seasons, was a solid second pick, with the Indians getting 14 second-place votes. MSU finished 14 points ahead of third-place Abilene Christian, which – after finishing as South co-champion with TAMUK last year – received one first-place vote but only 99 total points to finish third in the poll.

Eastern New Mexico was fourth in the balloting with 84 points, followed by fifth-place Angelo State with 59, sixth-place Texas A&M-Commerce with 49 and seventh-place West Texas A&M with 21.

ACU quarterback Colby Freeman was the voters’ choice as LSC South Division Preseason Player of the Year. The senior-to-be from Brownwood, Texas, passed for 2,093 yards and 12 touchdowns last year to gain honorable mention All-LSC South acclaim. The former Texas A&M transfer led the Wildcats to a 6-4 record last fall, marking ACU’s first winning season since 1997.

Freeman edged TAMUK running back Larry Williams for the preseason honor.

In the LSC North preseason poll, Tarleton State is favored to win a second straight divisional title.

UCO senior-to-be Dee Dee Carter was singled out as LSC North Preseason Player of the Year, adding to an already decorated career for the standout receiver. A two-time LSC North Receiver of the Year and first team All-West Region selection, Carter has led the league in receiving yards for two straight seasons, including 49 catches for 1,093 yards and five touchdowns a year ago.