VIDEO: Florida Tech Panther Football Picked Third In GSC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
By Space Coast Daily // August 4, 2016
Gulf South Conference Football
ABOVE VIDEO: Friday Night Locker Room and Space Coast Daily Sports Anchor Steve Wilson talks with Panther head football coach Steve Englehart about the upcoming season during the Inside the Huddle event held at Florida Tech.
BREVARD COUNTY, MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The countdown to kickoff is drawing ever closer with the start of the 2016 football season less than five weeks away.
The Gulf South Conference drew one step closer on Wednesday, releasing the 2016 Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
For the first time in the program’s brief history, Florida Tech has climbed inside the top three spots, claiming third with 48 points, including two first place votes. West Georgia repeats as GSC favorites, receiving the other seven first place votes.
North Alabama is slated second, just ahead of the Panthers with 53 points. Delta State and Valdosta State round out the top half in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Sixth and seventh are West Alabama and Mississippi College, followed by upstart West Florida and Shorter in eighth and ninth, respectively.
| SCHOOL | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | Total |
| West Georgia | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 63 |
| North Alabama | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 53 |
| Florida Tech | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 48 |
| Delta State | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 46 |
| Valdosta State | — | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 40 |
| West Alabama | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 26 |
| Mississippi College | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
| West Florida | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 16 |
| Shorter | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 11 |
Additionally, the GSC announced its preseason all-conference team, with FIT leading the way with eight honorees.
Five Panthers on the offensive side of the ball were recognized in running back Trevor Sand, tight end Kenny Johnston, guard Kevin Delgado, tackle Matt Nelson and center Blake Stone.
Three defensive players for Florida Tech were named Preseason All-GSC in linebacker Chris Stapleton and defensive backs Manny Abad and Trai Cadore.
The GSC Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Preseason All-GSC Team were voted on by the league’s head coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their team or their own players. Mississippi College players were not eligible for the preseason all-conference
PANTHER SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Season tickets for the 2015 season are available. Premium season tickets are only $70 for adults and $45 for FIT employees with ID, seniors ages 65 and above and children ages 5-16. General admission season tickets are $50 for adults and $30 for FIT employees, seniors and children.
Season tickets can be purchased at FloridaTechSports.com, in-person by appointment at the Clemente Center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by calling the FIT Ticket Office at 321-674-6228.
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