The official kickoff for the DII soccer season is about for Thursday, Aug. 31. The 2-time defending champions, Ferris State, take the sphere towards Mercyhurst to open issues up, trying to be the primary “three-peat” champions since North Alabama in 1993-95.
A lot to nobody’s shock, the Bulldogs open the season at No. 1, however with the No. 2 workforce within the preseason Energy 10 rankings hailing from their very own division, the ‘Dawgs have their work lower out this 12 months. Let’s leap into the primary rankings of the season.
TWICE AS NICE: How Ferris State went back-to-back in DII soccer
As a reminder, these are my rankings, and mine alone. There isn’t a voting course of or different media and coaches contributing. I merely discuss to coaches, SIDs and native beat writers, attempt to pair expertise with choice committee standards, and give you a rating that falls someplace between the coaches ballot, the media ballot at D2Football, and the regional rankings.
The DII soccer preseason Energy 10
No. 1 Ferris State
Coach Tony Annese might have new faces throughout the board and so they’d nonetheless be the main candidate for No. 1. The Bulldogs have back-to-back titles and have quarterbacks Mylik Mitchell and Carson Gulker — who led DII with 31 speeding touchdowns final 12 months as a freshman — again to guide the cost. The Bulldogs open the season towards Mercyhurst but in addition have a visit to FCS Montana and an enormous non-conference take a look at at fellow Energy 10-er Ashland earlier than opening GLIAC play the place they must fear about Grand Valley State. Because the Bulldogs proved final 12 months, they only have to discover a approach to the playoffs and so they seemingly discover one other gear.
No. 2 Grand Valley State
The 2 finest groups within the nation (no less than in my view) are a mere 65 miles aside. This 12 months’s Anchor Bone Basic may very well be one for the ages — which says one thing. The Lakers could have one of many deepest rosters in DII soccer and have just a few gamers — Cade Peterson, Tariq Reid, and Abe Swanson — who ought to hear their names in participant of the 12 months conversations. The expertise returning on either side of the ball, regardless of some huge losses within the switch portal, is second to none.
No. 3 Pittsburg State
The Gorillas went from 8-3 to 12-1 final 12 months, which included an 11-0 romp by the MIAA — no small feat in its personal proper. Quarterback Chad Dodson Jr. is again and his favourite goal — All-American tight finish Devon Garrison — is as effectively, nevertheless it’s on the defensive facet the place issues get powerful for opponents. Dubem Okonkwo (who led the workforce in sacks), Alex Gaskill (who was second in each tackles for a loss and interceptions), Antione Nunn Jr. (who led the workforce in interceptions), and Michael Lacey (who led the workforce in move breakups) are all again in an skilled defensive assault.
No. 4 Colorado College of Mines
Not solely is 2022 Harlon Hill Trophy winner John Matocha again, however so is preseason All-America broad receiver Max McLeod. There’s a altering of the guard at working again, however with the depth of expertise on the offensive line, whoever turns into the bell cow ought to do exactly fantastic. Main sack machine Nolan Reeve anchors a really skilled protection that may, like final 12 months, strain the quarterback greater than most groups can do. The Orediggers take a look at themselves as soon as once more out of the gates with Grand Valley State and Angelo State within the first two weeks, however they need to as soon as once more dominate the RMAC.
No. 5 Northwest Missouri State
Very similar to Tyrion Lannister, the Bearcats are identified for 2 issues, and doubtless ought to have a T-shirt made that claims “That’s what we do: we win soccer video games and make the DII playoffs.” The Bearcats have made 18 straight DII soccer championship appearances since 2004, successful 4 nationwide titles alongside the best way. So, sure, this can be a top-10 workforce and that mannequin of consistency is strictly why. Oh, having Mike Hohensee again underneath middle — and his two high targets as effectively — actually helps.
FAQ: Harlon Hill Trophy: A vital information to the DII soccer award
No. 6 Minnesota State
It took one 12 months for the Mavericks to rebuild (in case you even wish to name it that) from their 2019 nationwide runner-up marketing campaign. They returned to the postseason behind a 10-3 file final 12 months and completed the season with six straight wins — together with three over high 25 groups — till they bumped into the Orediggers within the second spherical of the playoffs. Again are the main rusher (Shen Butler-Lawson) and star quarterback Hayden Ekern in addition to second main receiver DJ Barber, so there may be a lot expertise. Defensively, the Mavericks could have a newish look, however All-NSIC linebacker Jacob Daulton is an effective anchor to have within the center.
No. 7 Bemidji State
Properly, in case you’re curious at how aggressive the NSIC can be, simply check out the Energy 10. Bemidji State and Minnesota State are separated by little or no, so in the end certainly one of these two ought to reign supreme because the convention king. All-world quarterback Brandon Alt, who has been a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist the previous two seasons, is again underneath middle, however his favourite goal is gone. There’s a lot expertise on the offensive line and within the receiver and working again room that the Beaver offense ought to proceed to be a scoring machine. The highest three tacklers can be wreaking havoc on protection, and Princeton Harris — who had a monster season with 5 interceptions and 10 move breakups — will make this protection powerful to beat.
No. 8 Ouachita Baptist
What would a Energy 10 be with out the Tigers? Ouachita Baptist has grow to be one of many premier applications in DII soccer lately, and regardless of the commencement of some huge items, that shouldn’t change this 12 months. This was top-of-the-line offenses in DII final 12 months, and regardless of having a considerably new look, quarterback Riley Harms, offensive lineman Zacary Henson, and working again Kendel Givens are three nice cornerstones to have in place. An skilled defensive unit and top-of-the-line punters within the land make the Tigers the early season decide within the GAC.
No. 9 Ashland
There’s a variety of change at Ashland this season, beginning with new head coach Doug Geiser. The Eagles had top-of-the-line defenses in DII soccer final season. It will not be straightforward to take care of that, however six starters — together with All-G-MAC defensive finish Jeffrey Barnett and All-G-MAC linebacker Jackson Myers — do return to anchor the unit. What hasn’t modified is the dynamic duo of Larry Martin and Gei’vonni Washington within the backfield. If the 2 keep wholesome, it may very well be top-of-the-line backfield tandems in DII.
No. 10 Indiana (PA)
The Crimson Hawks lose fairly a bit, however the addition of Karst Hunter — a real dual-threat quarterback from Colorado Mesa and 2021 RMAC freshman of the 12 months — has IUP because the workforce to beat within the PSAC. He could have final 12 months’s main rusher (Dayjure Stewart) again, and though All-American Duane Brown has graduated, Hilton Ridley ought to step into the No. 1 broad receiver spot fairly simply. On the defensive facet of the ball, the Crimson Hawks return three of their 5 high tacklers from a 12 months in the past, together with defensive again Darius Bruce, who led the PSAC in interceptions final 12 months.
DII FOOTBALL: Rankings, information, scores, and stats
First 5 out (in alphabetical order)
- Angelo State: The Rams ought to win the Lone Star Convention, however the quantity of star-level expertise this workforce misplaced has them simply exterior the primary high 10. Make no mistake, Angelo State has three huge video games to open the season — if it wins these video games, the Rams are proper again in it.
- Delta State: Quarterback Patrick Shegog, who led the workforce in speeding and passing, is again underneath middle and alone makes the Statesmen a Gulf South favourite. Having their main sacker and a pair of powerful defenders within the secondary again make this an actual powerful workforce.
- Harding: Harding wins soccer video games by working the ball, having led DII soccer in speeding three years in a row. With a pair of All-GAC offensive lineman again and quarterback Cole Keylon and working backs Jhalen Spicer and Will Fitzhugh again, it must be extra of the identical.
- Virginia Union: Jada Byers is arguably one of the best working again in faculty soccer. Not DII… all faculty soccer. With the quantity of expertise returning, the Panthers ought to win the CIAA and discover their method again to the playoffs and doubtless the Energy 10.
- West Florida: Properly, we’ve by no means identified the Argos with anybody aside from Pete Shinnick in cost. Kaleb Nobles is a pleasant alternative, however man, these are some humongous sneakers to fill. The protection must be strong, however earlier than we anoint the Argos with their annual top-10 spot, let’s see how issues go together with the brand new regime.
5 to observe (in alphabetical order)
Listed here are 5 groups simply within the high 25 however may very well be potential top-10 groups shortly in the event that they attain their fullest potential and reply some questions early on.
- Benedict: Benedict went from 5-5 to 11-1 and the No. 1 seed in a troublesome Tremendous Area Two final 12 months. Loobert Denelus leads a strong protection, however with a brand new look offense, can the Tigers repeat within the SIAC?
- Emporia State: Braden Gleason may very well be one of the best quarterback within the division this 12 months, however the Hornets have a pair of Energy 10 groups of their method within the gauntlet that’s the MIAA. We all know the offense can play, can a comparatively skilled protection hold them in ball video games?
- Lenoir-Rhyne: Can Dwayne McGee return to his 2021 dominance? The Bears had a variety of studying to do final 12 months, however now return a variety of that expertise. Can they refocus and climb again to the highest of a fully stacked SAC?
- Limestone: One other feel-good story from 2022, head coach Mike Furrey took an 0-9 workforce to the DII playoffs in a single 12 months. Working again Tre Stewart is again together with a slew of starters from that workforce. Are the Saints heading for a sophomore hunch or rising to the highest?
- UIndy: The Greyhounds are at all times within the hunt. They sometimes do it with top-of-the-line working backs within the division. Can DIII switch Jon Lewis — who led DIII in speeding yards per recreation to associate with 17 touchdowns — be the following nice again and hold the UIndy prepare rolling?
The ultimate 5 (in alphabetical order)
- Assumption
- Newberry
- Shepherd
- Slippery Rock
- Wingate
Simply missed (5 groups that may simply be high 25 by Week 2): CSU Pueblo, Davenport, New Haven, West Georgia, Winona State