Defending Heart of America Athletic Conference champion and NAIA Football

Championship Series semifinalist Missouri Valley received eight of ten first place votes to sit atop the 2013 HAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Tuesday afternoon at the annual Media Day festivities at the NAIA national office.

The Vikings took 80 of the possible 81 voting points to finish 10 points ahead of runner-up MidAmerica Nazarene, which received the remaining two first-place votes as well as four second-place tallies. The two teams will meet in Marshall on September 21st in a matchup between the two teams that have won at least a share of five of the past seven conference crowns.

Baker claimed third position in the poll for the second-straight season, earning 67 points that included matching the Pioneers with four second-place votes. The Wildcats returned to the NAIA Football Championship Series last season after a four-year hiatus and finished the 2012 regular season with four-straight victories by an average margin of 23 points.

The last two spots in the top five were decided by just five voting points as Evangel edged Benedictine, 56-51. The Crusaders won the head-to-head meeting between the two teams last season in Springfield, 54-44, and the two teams will close out the regular season at JFK Stadium on November 18.

Peru State began the second half of the poll by being voted into sixth position with 40 points while Graceland took 29 points for seventh position. Avila (25 points), Central Methodist (22) and Culver-Stockton (10) finished out the last three positions.

Last year the Bobcats were projected to finish eighth in the preseason poll and finished seventh.

The Football Media Day experienced a change of venues for the first time in several years by hosting the event in part of the newly-renovated NAIA facilities. The format of the Media Day was also revised to include one or two football players answering questions following the head coach’s initial remarks. In addition, questions were received from social media for various coaches and players throughout the event.

Representing Peru State along with Bobcat head coach Steve Schneider were seniors Lance Steffen (Murdock) and Zach Lempka (Sterling). Coach Schneider expressed his thanks to the NAIA for hosting the event and to others for their efforts. Schneider then addressed the crowd with his comments on his expectations for the upcoming season.

Regarding the season, Schneider shared some various statistics about how the Bobcats performed last year and where they needed to improve, whether it be on special teams, offense, or defense.

Schneider noted several goals that were identified for improvement since he has been the head coach in March of 2012: 1) Unity and leadership, 2) Discipline of our team, 3) Ratchet up the team’s physical play, and 4) The hope versus expect – meaning the team needs to expect win, not hope to win. As part of his questions, Schneider addressed the loss of the team’s top rusher noting that two players, Ethan Bray (Liberal, Mo.) and Adam Neels (Elmwood), handle the duties during spring ball.

Schneider also was questioned about the renovation of the Oak Bowl and its impact on recruiting. He said, “It has had some impact already, but once it is completely done it should have a bigger role as the

future recruits and their families will get to see the product. I do want to thank our administration, the system office, and many others in support of the project.”

After Schneider’s review, Steffen fielded the first question which was regarding how he plans to step up into a leadership role since he will be a four-year starter. Steffen stated, “On the field, being a four-year starter, people respect that. In addition, both Zach and I have been members of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) for the past three years, so we have had leadership roles with the football team during this time. Also, both of us have been Bobcat Elite team leaders which have us given us the role of making sure our team members gain accountability skills and leadership qualities.”

Lempka’s question dealt with how his responsibility would change in leading the defense after the loss of a top leader for the past several years on defense. Lempka noted, “I want to take a lot of things Preston Bruss (two-time HAAC First Team from Bennet) did on and off the field to lead the team, so I plan to emulate a lot of those same qualities.”

Probably the lightest moment of the entire Media Day question and answer for either the players or coaches was when Steffen was asked about his mustache. The question posed from social media was “How long did it take you to grow your mustache and what is the inspiration behind it? This question drew laughter in the crowd and Lempka about fell off his chair. Steffen responded without hesitation, “The inspiration behind it was that I have grown one each of the past four years, at least in training camp, and I have played each of the past three years. I kept last year’s all through the season with the exception of the last game. As to this year’s mustache, it has taken me less than a month to grow.”

Not only did Steffen’s mustache draw comments at the Media Days itself, but at least 15 comments were posted during the LiveChat available through the Livestream of the event, which was provided by the Benedictine Sports Network. “predictionking” noted several comments including that this would be front page news in Peru.

The 2013 season kicks off on Saturday, August 31 with three HAAC teams opening their respective seasons. Benedictine will host Briar Cliff (Iowa) and Peru State welcomes Dakota State (S.D.) while Culver-Stockton opens with a visit to Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.). All 10 teams will hit the road for the inaugural HAAC-KCAC Football Series on Saturday, September 14 with each team taking on the KCAC team that finished in the same position in the 2012 standings at the KCAC site.

2013 HAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

School (First Place Votes) Points

1. Missouri Valley (8) 80

2. MidAmerica Nazarene (2) 70

3. Baker 67

4. Evangel 56

5. Benedictine 51

6. Peru State 40

7. Graceland 29

8. Avila 25

9. Central Methodist 22 

10. Culver-Stockton 10