By Scott Harvey
San Antonio – The Texas A&M University-Commerce football team is this year's favorite to win the Lone Star Conference North Division, according to LSC's preseason polls announced Tuesday in San Antonio.
After winning the North last season on its way to a 5-0 record in division play, The Lions this preseason received first-place votes on 12 of the 19 ballots cast by LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.
Overall, A&M-Commerce earned 123 points in the poll, 13 ahead of second place finisher Southeastern Oklahoma.
"We don't know if we're that good or not. I say we as a coaching staff," said Lions Head Coach Guy Morriss. "But it's humbling, it's an honor to be recognized. But we're not sure if we're quite that good just yet, but we'll soon find out. Start date is right around the corner and we're looking forward to it."
Also taking home honors Tuesday, Lion's linebacker Cory Whitfield, who was named the North Division's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
A senior from Palestine, Whitfield last season earned the LSC's North Division Linebacker of the Year and first team all-LSC North Division recognition.
He led the Lions with 111 tackles, including six-straight games of double digit tackles; plus he was third on the team with 13.5 tackles for minus yardage in 2009.
The Lions kick off the season September 4 when they host Upper Iowa. You can hear coverage of the Lions all season long on 88.9 KETR.