ROYAL OAK — Defending champion Adrian has been named the preseason favorite to win the 2013 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football championship.

The Bulldogs, who won their first outright MIAA championship in 29 years last fall, received four out of a possible seven first-place votes in the preseason poll of the league’s coaches, released Thursday.

Hope, Trine and Albion tied for second in the coaches poll, with the Flying Dutchmen receiving two first-place votes and the Thunder one.

Last year, Adrian posted a 6-0 record in league play, capped off by a dramatic 20-19 overtime win over Albion, to capture the MIAA championship. The Bulldogs finished 9-2 overall, losing to Franklin, Ind. in a first-round game in the Division III playoffs.

This season will mark the return of the Challenge Series pitting MIAA schools against member colleges of the Northern Athletics Conference.  MIAA schools will host this year’s games on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The MIAA will kick off its 116th season of intercollegiate football action Sept. 5 as Trine travels to Manchester, Ind. League play begins Oct. 5.

 

Poll Results

(first-place votes in parenthesis)

1. Adrian (4) 9 pts. 2. Hope (2) 15 pts. 2. Trine (1) 15 pts. 2. Albion 15. 5. Olivet 29. 6. Kalamazoo 31. 7. Alma 33