FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hounds Picked to Defend NE10 Title in 2018
MANSFIELD, Mass. – Assumption was picked to defend their Northeast-10 Conference Championship by the league's ten head coaches it was announced today. The Greyhounds received literally one more point than runner-up LIU Post in the voting. Assumption received six of the ten first place nods, while the Pioneers garnered the other four.
The Greyhounds racked up 77 total points in the voting, while the Pioneers received 76 points. Assumption defeated LIU Post 54-20 last year on their way to the NE10 title. The two perennial powers are scheduled to square off on Saturday, September 27th at Assumption's Multi-Sport Stadium.
For complete results of the poll, please see below.
Assumption is coming off the most successful season in program history as they advanced to the National Quarterfinals last year. The Hounds knocked off California (Pa.) in the First Round of the NCAA Championship before defeating Findlay in Round Two. Their season ultimately came to an end in the Quarterfinals as they fell to Indiana (Pa.).
Assumption is ranked nationally in a number of preseason polls, and the Hounds return arguably the most dynamic player in the country in Deonte Harris. The senior was a First Team All-American a year ago, as he scored 17 touchdowns and accounted for nearly 2,000 all purpose yards.
A lot has changed in Worcester since their NE10 title run from a year ago. Former head coach Bob Chesney has moved across town and is now the head man at Holy Cross. Andy McKenzie, who was an assistant at Holy Cross for almost a decade, was hired to replace Coach Chesney in the offseason.
Bentley was picked to finish third in the NE10, following a 6-3 conference mark a year ago. The Falcons handed Assumption their only NE10 loss last year. New Haven was picked to finish fourth, while crosstown rival Southern Connecticut was ranked fifth. Merrimack, Stonehill, Pace, American International, and Saint Anselm rounded out the coaches' selections.
The 2018 NE10 football season will offically kick off on Thursday, August 30, with a pair of NE10 teams in action. Bentley plays host to West Chester in non-league action, while Southern Connecticut will head to Gannon. Both games are scheduled for a 6pm kickoff.
There will be no NE10 Championship Game this year, and the conference champion will be determined by the results during the regular seaon. Franklin Pierce has announced the elevation of their football program and will begin NE10 play during the 2019 season.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.