FREELAND, Mich. – After an unblemished 10-0 regular season in 2017 and advancing to the Second Round of the 2017 NCAA Division III Football Championship, the Trine Thunder are predicted to again be the top football program in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, according to a preseason poll of MIAA head football coaches.

The Thunder garnered all seven possible first-place votes to rank first in the poll, followed by Hope, Adrian, and Olivet, respectively. Hope received the remaining first-place vote to tally 13 points, while Adrian earned 20 points, and Olivet 26 points. The preseason poll for MIAA football awards one point for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote, et cetera. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own programs. 

Albion (30 points) ranked ffith overall heading into 2018, followed by Alma (37 points), Kalamazoo (42) points, and first-year MIAA affiliate member Finlandia (49 points). 

Trine (10-0, 6-0 MIAA in 2017) enters the 2018 campaign not only the top-ranked team in the MIAA, but ranked 20th nationally in the D3football.com Top 25 preseason poll. Returning for the Thunder are Marcus Winters (Sr., CB, Toledo, Ohio), the 2017 MIAA Defensive MVP, as well as first-team All-MIAA selections Jeffery Barnett (Sr., WR, Fremont, Ohio), Lamar Carswell (Sr., RB, Toledo, Ohio), Andrew Hagar (Sr., OL, Millersburg, Ind.), Cayleel Hill (Sr., CB, Owings Mills, Md.), Elijah Klepper (Sr., TE, Mendon, Mich.), and Simeon Washington (Jr., ILB, Toledo, Ohio).

Hope (8-2, 5-1) continued their success from the previous year, with their lone setbacks coming against MIAA champion Trine and NCAA Championship participant Monmouth (Ill.). Despite graduating four first-team All-MIAA selections from last fall, the Flying Dutchmen will look to second-team All-MIAA quarterback Mason Opple (Jr., QB, Hudsonville, Mich.) for leadership in 2018.

Adrian (5-5, 4-2) will look to Emmanuel Stewart (Sr., RB, St. Petersburg, Fla.) for impact on offense in 2018, after the first-team All-MIAA selection scored 18 touchdowns and racked up 1,367 yards for the Bulldogs last season. Also returning for Adrian are first-team All-MIAA selections wide receiver Jerron McGaw (Sr., WR, Indianapolis, Ind.), Lawrence Austin (Sr., OLB, Bowling Green, Ohio), and Chris Adams (Sr., DB, St. Petersburg, Fla.).

Olivet (5-5, 3-3) slipped slightly last season after earning the MIAA football title in 2016, but the Comets will be looking to first-team All-MIAA standout John Adams III (So., DB, Redford, Mich.) to again be a top influence on the Olivet defense. 

Alma (4-6, 1-5) will be mentored by first-year head coach Jason Couch, a Scots alum after a prolific career as a prep head coach. The Scots led the MIAA in 2017 in sacks, with 19 sacks coming in MIAA play.

Albion (4-6, 2-4) returns Sam Blanzy (Sr., QB, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.), a first-team All-MIAA selection as a punter last season.

Kalamazoo (1-9, 0-6) features Jakob Frederick (Sr., LB, Spring Lake, Mich.), a first-team All-MIAA linebacker that led the Hornets in tackles (114) in 2017, including 7.5 tackles for loss.

Finlandia (3-3) will be under the direction of first-year head coach Travis Wiltzius, who has been on the coaching staff for the Lions since 2015. 

The 2018 MIAA football season kicks off Thursday, Aug. 30 when Alma travels to Baldwin Wallace for a 6 p.m. contest while Trine hosts Manchester at 7:30 p.m. MIAA play begins Saturday, Sept. 29, a day highlighted by Hope hosting Trine in a 5 p.m. contest against the two preseason top teams.

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