Valley picked second in HAAC poll

One aspect of Valley's offense may be as clear as black and white: junior center Marque Black snapping to junior quarterback Chris White. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

KANSAS CITY -- Heart of America Conference coaches expect the Missouri Valley College football team to be in the thick of the title race this season.

That's according to the pre-season poll of league coaches released Monday during the annual media luncheon at Kansas City.

While Lindenwood (97 points) is the clear-cut favorite to claim the crown, the Vikings (84) were ranked second --ahead of defending champion MidAmerica Nazarene (82) and Baker (79), an NAIA playoff team last year.

Valley missed the post-season for the first time in three years in 2008, after reaching the semifinal round the previous two campaigns -- both time dropping close contests at Sioux Falls (S.D.), ranked No. 1 in the current NAIA pre-season poll.

The Vikings were regarded more highly by league coaches than those in the NAIA, who ranked them 16th in the preseason poll released Monday.

The Lions are at No. 3 and Pioneers No. 8. Baker, picked 9th in the recent College Fanz rankings, are 12th in the NAIA poll.

One reason Valley didn't receive the votes on the national level is that the HAAC coaches' poll wasn't submitted by the Monday morning deadline, while the league meeting was being held.

"It's more timing than anything else," noted MVC head coach Paul Troth.

The Vikings, fourth in the HAAC last year with a 7-3 record, have the usual assortment of positions in which they have confidence and questions.

On offense, the return of junior quarterback Chris White -- a two-year starter -- and three offensive linemen is favorable. Junior tight end Scott Humphrey and some speedy wideouts, notably junior Darrell Madry and senior Courtavious Anderson, is encouraging.

Yet, the losses of three-time 1,000-yard gainer Robert Holmes to graduation and powerful David Allen to injury creates a huge hole at tailback.

The defensive line is also suspect, with only 290-pound nose tackle Merlin Benefield -- considering one of the prime front-runners for the league's top defensive honor -- returning.

The linebacking corps, a strength of the 3-4 defense which has been among the NAIA's leaders against the run the past three seasons, also appears thinner on paper.

Valley's secondary looks strong, though, with considerable speed on the edges. The kicking game is also solid, with senior Adrian Trevino proving capable last year.

For the Vikings, it may not be whether there's enough talent to go around, but whether the type of impact players --like Larry Wentzel and Reggie Singletary on defense and Holmes on offense -- will be on hand to push the team from contender to champion.