Hounds eighth in LSC preseason football poll

RICHARDSON, Texas – Defending Lone Star Conference football champion Angelo State has been tabbed to repeat its crown in a vote of league coaches and sports information directors, plus media members.

The Rams (12-1 overall and 9-0 in the LSC in 2022) collected 241 points and 25 of 27 first-place ballots, according to the poll released by the conference office. Last season, ASU reached the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals before it was eliminated.

Eastern New Mexico University, with Kelley Lee returning to the helm this fall after a two-year hiatus, was picked for eighth place in the now-nine-team circuit with 59 points, edging out in-state rival Western New Mexico (57). Simon Fraser (B.C.) dropped the sport after the 2022 campaign.

ENMU went 3-8 last year under second-year coach Tye Hiatt, including 2-7 in the league.

Central Washington earned one first-place vote and 198 points to finish second in the poll. The Wildcats were 6-4 (6-3 LSC) last year as an affiliate member.

Texas A&M-Kingsville was third with 174 points, followed by Midwestern State (147), West Texas A&M (123), Western Oregon (118), Texas-Permian Basin (98), ENMU and WNMU. Western Oregon was accorded the other first-place vote.

Central Washington junior running back Tre’jon Henderson was named the conference’s preseason player of the year on offense, while Texas A&M-Kingsville senior defensive back Amos Coleman earned the honor on defense.

The 6-foot, 218-pound Henerson led the LSC with 12 rushing touchdowns in 2022, including a pair of three-TD performances. He averaged just shy of 100 rushing yards per game and had two contests with more than 150 yards en route to second-team All-LSC honors.

Coleman, who stands 5-11 and weighs 185 pounds, had a pick-6 among five interceptions last season, with 40 tackles and seven pass breakups. He also had an LSC season-long 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, earning first-team All-LSC honors on defense and honorable mention on special teams.

The league additionally recognized several “players to watch” this season. Included from ENMU were senior offensive lineman Hunter St. John and senior linebacker Timothy Jones.

ENMU, Angelo State, Central Washington and Western Oregon all begin their campaigns on Aug. 31, with the other five schools opening two days later. Each team will play eight conference games. The Greyhounds open with a 6 p.m. kickoff at Greyhound Stadium against New Mexico Highlands.

Since the LSC began playing football in 1931, Kingsville has registered the most league championships with 27, far ahead of the next team, WT, with five. ENMU has two LSC titles in its history (1991 and 2013).

Polls for other LSC fall sports are slated to be released in the coming days.