The USA South Athletic Conference's football coaches have released their 2021 preseason poll. Huntingdon was atop the rankings and will look to capture the program's sixth USA South championship. During last season's COVID-altered spring campaign, the Hawks earned a win in the USA South championship game over East Division champion Methodist while sharing the West Division crown with Brevard.
Additionally, the USA South will feature nine football-playing institutions this season as the League welcomes Southern Virginia into the Conference.
Head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.
The Battling Bishops were picked to finish 6th out of the 9 schools in the conference as they come off a tough spring season where they dropped three games by just 7 points or less. They return 70 from last year including 1st team All-Division running back, senior captain Jeff Black, while bringing in 67 newcomers.
They kick off their season at home on Sept. 4 at Noon at the Vernon T. Bradley Football Complex when they host non-conference foe Emory & Henry College (Va.).
https://usasouth.net/sports/fball/2021-22/releases/20210823efbecs
| 2021 USA South Coaches Preseason Football Poll | ||
| Rank | Institution (1st Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. | Huntingdon^ (5) | 58 |
| 2. | Brevard^ (2) | 54 |
| 3. | Methodist* | 48 |
| t-4. | Averett (1) | 41 |
| t-4. | Maryville (1) | 41 |
| 6. | N.C. Wesleyan | 31 |
| 7. | LaGrange | 21 |
| 8. | Southern Virginia | 18 |
| 9. | Greensboro | 12 |
| *Defending East Division Champion ^Defending West Division Co-Champion |
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