Defending National Champions Top GSC Football Preseason Poll
PRESEASON ALL-GSC TEAM | TOP NEWCOMERS | COMPOSITE SCHEDULE (PDF) | 2019 GSC FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Gulf South Conference football coaches have unanimously selected the Valdosta State Blazers as the conference favorite in the 2019 preseason poll.
The defending NCAA Champions return an array of offensive talent from a potent 2018 team. Last year, the Blazers set GSC records for offensive yards and points in a season, solidifying their place as the best offense in league history. Starting quarterback Rogan Wells will be back for VSU, and so will the running back combination of Jamar Thompkins and Seth McGill, their top four receivers, including First Team All-GSC selection Lio’undre Gallimore, and all-purpose playmaker Ivory Durham.
Wells was the GSC Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 and the Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up. His runner-up finish was the best showing for a GSC player since A.J. Milwee (UNA) in 2008.
The biggest change for the Blazers in 2019 will be on the sidelines with new head coach Gary Goff. Goff returns to his alma mater after eight years at the helm of Tiffin.
West Georgia finished second in the preseason poll. For the first time in four years, UWG will not have Devontae Jackson in the backfield. The fourth all-time leading rusher in GSC history is currently in training camp with the Denver Broncos. Two-time All-GSC selection Willie Candler will be back under center for the Wolves, who are looking to advance to the NCAA Playoffs for the third straight season. All-conference selections Chad Price and Korie Rogers return to the league's top defense.
Third in the poll is West Alabama. The Tigers have advanced to the national postseason the last two years and boast the second most Preseason All-GSC selections. Brandon Anderson and Call Dyer return to anchor the UWA offensive line, and Qua Boyd, one of the most decorated tight ends in league history, is back for his senior season.
The 2017 NCAA National Runners-Up from West Florida are fourth in the poll. The Argonauts return two-time All-GSC selection Samuel Antoine to their offensive line, while Trent Archie and Andre Duncombe Jr. were both named preseason all-conference linebackers.
Florida Tech is fifth in the poll. This year, the Panthers will have a different look without Antwuan Haynes, Romell Guerrier, Adonis Davis, and 2018 GSC Defensive Player of the Year J.T. Hassell, who is currently in training camp with the Cleveland Browns. Trent Chmelik will be back at quarterback for FT after throwing 21 touchdowns in 2018. Defensive standouts Evan Thompson and John McClure also return for the Panthers.
Delta State finished sixth in the poll, followed by North Greenville. The Statesmen return the 2018 GSC Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year Patrick Shegog at quarterback. Shegog finished eighth in the GSC in rushing yards per game, including over 200 yards on the ground in the final game of the year last season. NGU is entering its second year as a GSC member. The Crusaders started 2-0 in the league last year, including a win over #21 West Alabama. Aaron Watson is the lone first team all-conference defensive back to return to the GSC in 2019.
Mississippi College and Shorter round out the poll. First Team All-GSC selection Detric Hawthorn will be back to lead the Choctaw attack. Hawthorn finished second in the league in rushing yards per game in 2018. The Hawks return a lot of talent in Coach Zach Morrison’s second year, highlighted by Preseason All-GSC selection Nehemiah Reddish. Quarterback Tyler Pullum and his two favorite targets, Eli Gilbert and Joseph Ross, are also back for SU.
The complete Preseason All-GSC Team, as well as a list of top newcomers for each squad, a printable composite schedule, and the 2019 GSC Football Media Guide, can be found at the top of the page. The 2019 season will kick off on Thursday, September 5 with three GSC teams in action.
2019 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
| School |
Total Points |
| 1. Valdosta State (8) |
64 |
| 2. West Georgia |
55 |
| 3. West Alabama |
49 |
| 4. West Florida (1) |
44 |
| 5. Florida Tech |
37 |
| 6. Delta State |
28 |
| 7. North Greenville |
24 |
| 8. Mississippi College |
15 |
| 9. Shorter |
8 |
NOTES: The head coaches voted in this poll. Teams received eight points for a first place vote, seven for a second place vote, etc. The head coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. Number of first place votes in parenthesis.