The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference recently released its 2024 PSAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll, and Lock Haven, Pa., is buzzing with excitement as the football season approaches. The Western Division coaches have predicted Gannon to finish fourth in the division for the third consecutive year. Despite being picked in the middle of the pack, the Golden Knights have exceeded expectations in the past, finishing as division co-champions two years ago and securing a third-place finish last year.
Returning Western Division champion Slippery Rock is the clear favorite in the preseason poll, receiving six first-place votes. The team finished with an impressive 12-2 record last year. California (Pa.) follows closely behind in second place after posting a 7-3 overall record and finishing second in Western Division play.
Indiana (Pa.) picked up the remaining first-place vote in the preseason poll after coming in fifth last year. Gannon holds down the fourth spot in the poll, with Seton Hill following closely behind in fifth place. Edinboro and Clarion round out the Western Division preseason poll in sixth and seventh place, respectively.
Head coach Erik Raeburn, entering his fifth season with Gannon, remains optimistic about the team’s position in the Western Division poll. He acknowledges the challenges of the PSAC West but emphasizes that the final ranking is the only one that truly matters.
In the Eastern Division, reigning PSAC champion Kutztown is the preseason favorite, receiving six of eight first-place votes. The Golden Bears finished the previous season with an impressive 12-3 record, reaching the Division II semifinals. Shepherd and East Stroudsburg follow in second and third place, each receiving a first-place vote.
Gannon faces tough competition in crossover action, with matchups against East Stroudsburg and Kutztown early in the season. The team will need to bring their A-game to compete against these formidable opponents.
On the offensive side, Gannon returns six starters, including three on the offensive line. Riley Noble, Jake Vasko, and Dylan Wilson are key returning players who will anchor the line. Donell „Tank“ Mason leads the receiving corps, while Jayden Whitaker steps in at quarterback after a promising performance last season.
The running game, a traditional strength for Gannon, will see new faces stepping up to fill the void left by departing players. Braxton Todd and David Morgan, Jr. are top candidates to lead the rushing attack this season.
The defense boasts a strong linebacking corps, with Trey Baker and Hayden McDonald leading the charge. The defensive line will need to fill the void left by departing players, but Charles Calhoun emerged as a standout performer last season.
In the secondary, the team will look to Zaire Allen and incoming defensive backs to step up and fill the shoes of departed players. The kicking game will also see new faces, as standout players from last season have moved on.
Gannon’s season kicks off with a Thursday night special against Northwood, setting the stage for an exciting and challenging season ahead. The team will face tough competition in the PSAC West, but with a mix of experienced returners and new talent, they are poised to make a strong showing in the upcoming season.