CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference announced the 2021 Fall Preseason Poll with the Panthers pegged the favorite to win for the fourth consecutive year.
Hanover claimed the top spot with 63 points and seven first place votes, while Mount St. Joseph finished second with 53 points and one first place nod. Rose-Hulman finished third with 49 points, while Franklin claimed fourth with 41 points and Bluffton fifth with 32 points.
The Blue and Red return a plethora of talent in 2021 including HCAC Preseason Athletes to Watch, senior
Kiefer Askew (Warner Robins, Ga.), senior
Walt Ballinger (Indianapolis, Ind.), senior
Shawn Coane (Evansville, Ind.), senior
Jared Frank (Louisville, Ky.), senior
Kyle Treber (Mishawka, Ind.), and junior
Devonte Hardiman (Princeton, Ind.).
The preseason accolades continued for the Panthers as they were also named to the D3football.com Top 25 poll, the only conference institution to claim the honor. D3football.com also recognized Coane, naming him to the preseason All-America Team.
Hanover is slated to open the 2021 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 4 when they travel to Centre College. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 PM.
