BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Harding Bisons were picked to finish ninth in the 11-team Gulf South Conference in the preseason football coaches poll released Tuesday by the conference office. Senior wide receiver Kurt Adams was named to the Preseason All-GSC Team.
"This is just a preseason poll," said Harding coach Ronnie Huckeba. "The poll that really counts is the postseason poll. But based on our record and some of the people we lost, (being picked ninth) is not really surprising."
Delta State, who has won the last two GSC regular season championships, was chosen as the preseason favorite. The Statesmen were followed by North Alabama and Valdosta State in the top three. The top Arkansas school was fourth-place Arkansas-Monticello.
"As coaches we really know very little about our opponents from top to bottom at this point in the season," said Huckeba. "Everybody in this league will have new players that make an impact on how their team finishes, and we certainly anticipate that being the case for us. We are extremely excited about this season."
Adams, a 6-5, 195-pound senior from Searcy, Ark., had 61 receptions last season for the Bisons and set the school record with 1,122 receiving yards.
"Kurt had a great year last year," said Huckeba. "He is a huge matchup problem. He is very competitive. He has worked very hard to have a successful season this upcoming year, and his has been recognized for his achievements, and I think rightfully so. He is a focal point of our offense, but the good thing is, we have a lot of good receivers, so it is hard (for defenses) to just focus on him."
Harding had four players included among the conference's top newcomers. They were senior defensive backs Josh Jones and Pete Richardson, junior defensive back and kick returner #Eddie Russ, Jr.#, and junior offensive lineman Bruce Hall.
Huckeba expects to have the largest squad in the program's history with nearly 140 players expected to report Friday and Saturday to Searcy.
Harding opens its 2009 season at home against Missouri Southern on Aug. 29. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. at First Security Stadium.
