Kansas City, Kan. -- The Missouri Southern football team has been picked to finish tenth by the coaches and 11th by the media as the MIAA announced its preseason polls today at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City. 

The Lions return 41 letter winners and 14 starters from last year including eight starters on offense and three on defense. Leading the way on offense is junior quarterback TJ Fleeton as the Daphne, Ala. native started in eight games and played in all 11 last year. He went 175-322 for 1,975 yards and eight touchdowns. The team also returns four starting wide receivers including seniors Chad Nolan, Terrell Crawford and Jordan Morrison, as well as sophomore Carson Day. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Ricky Green and Chris Goss III return as starters in the backfield, while Stephan Randall returns as a starter at tackle. Randall started all 11 games, recording 37 stops, 4.5 for a loss of 13 yards and 1.5 sacks. Green is the top returning tackler from 2016 with 57, as well as 4.5 for a loss. Goss III had 51 tackles, a sack and an interception. 

Defending national champion Northwest Missouri was picked to finish first in both the coaches and media polls. The top four in both polls were the same with Northwest at one, Central Missouri at two, Pittsburg State was third in both polls, but shared third place with Emporia in the coaches poll. The Hornets were fourth in the media poll. 

Rounding out the poll for the coaches were Central Oklahoma at five, followed by Fort Hays State, Missouri Western, Washburn, Northeastern State, Southern, Nebraska-Kearney and Lindenwood. 

Fort Hays State was fifth in the media poll, followed by Central Oklahoma, Missouri Western, Washburn, Lindenwood, Northeastern State, Southern and Nebraska-Kearney. 

Southern opens the 2016 season on the road at Fort Hays State on September 1 at 7 pm. The Lions' home opener is September 10 at 6 pm against Missouri Western.