MASCAC Pre-Season Football Poll Announced

WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) has released its preseason poll for the 2016 football season and Fitchburg State was slotted in second place (52 points) in a vote of all nine league head coaches.

During the 2015 campaign, the Falcons tallied a 6-2 mark in league play. Returning for the team is quarterback Garrett Dellechaie who netted the third most yards (2,957) and touchdowns (26) in the league while also having the fourth most yards per game (268.8) and completion percentage (61.2). On the other side of the ball, 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year Cyrick Watford looks to repeat his success after netting 28 tackles (19 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in his first year with the squad.

Framingham State received eight of the nine first place votes for a total of 64 points. Last season, the reigning champs were a perfect 8-0 during MASCAC play. Jalen Green returns for the offense after leading Framingham State on the ground with 776 rushing yards and four touchdowns on his way to a Second Team All-Conference accolade. On defense, linebacker Svenn Jacobson, First Team All-Conference honoree, looks to repeat his team leading performance of 72 tackles (47 solo), three fumbles recovered and two forced fumbles.

Coming in third with 50 points is Western Connecticut State. The Colonials finished the 2015 season with a 4-4 record in conference. Last season Michael Nicol led the conference with 1,319 rushing yards (131.9 per game) while also tallying 14 touchdowns, the third most in the MASCAC in 2015. 

Grabbing the final first place vote for 48 points is Bridgewater State. The Bears were 6-2 last season during MASCAC competition. Alex McLaughlin is back for Bridgewater State after scoring 16 rushing touchdowns with 936 total yards (85.1 yards per game) and adding 496 yards through the air with three touchdowns.

The MASCAC football teams return to the gridiron the weekend of September 2-3 with eight of the nine conference teams competing in their first of two non-conference contests.

2016 MASCAC Football Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)