Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Southern football program has been picked to finish 10^th in both the coaches' and media preseason polls as the MIAA announced both as part of MIAA Football Media Day presented by Seigfreid Bingham today
 
The festivities were conducted inside the Little Theatre at the Kansas City Convention Center.
 
Southern was picked tenth in both polls, finishing in front of both Northeastern State and Lincoln. The Lions finished 3-8 last season, good for tenth in the league.
 
The Lions will be playing year two under the watchful eye of head coach Atiba Bradley. Southern returns eight starters on offense and defense, including six All-MIAA players. Richard Jordan Jr. was a second-team All-MIAA pick last year, while Nick Williams earned third-team honors at kicker and honorable-mention at punter. Solomona Fetuao, Dylan Bolden, Nick Kruse and Colton Winder all return as All-MIAA honorees.
 
Defending MIAA Champion Northwest Missouri was picked by both the coaches and media to repeat as league champs. The coaches' poll had Nebraska-Kearney second with a first-place vote and Pittsburg State in third with a first-place vote of its own. Washburn was picked third, followed by Fort Hays State, Emporia State, Central Missouri, Missouri Western, Central Oklahoma, the Lions, Northeastern State and Lincoln to round out the poll.
 
The media had the same top-six teams with Washburn earning one first-place vote at No. 4. Missouri Western was seventh, followed by Central Oklahoma, Central Missouri, the Lions, Northeastern State and Lincoln. Both polls are below.
 
The Lions open the season at home against Nebraska-Kearney at 7 pm on September 11. Southern plays host to Lincoln on October 8 at 2 pm for homecoming, while the Lions take on Emporia State on October 22 for the Hall of Fame Game at 2 pm. Senior day is slated for 2 pm on November 12 against Washburn.
 
2022 MIAA Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
1) Northwest Missouri – 119 Points [10 First-Place Votes]
2) Nebraska Kearney – 104 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
3) Pittsburg State – 100 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
4) Washburn – 98 Points
5) Fort Hays State – 76 Points
6) Emporia State – 63 Points
T7) Central Missouri – 58 Points
T7) Missouri Western – 58 Points 
9) Central Oklahoma – 51 Points
10) Missouri Southern – 29 Points
11) Northeastern State – 22 Points
12) Lincoln – 12 Points
 
2022 MIAA Football Preseason Media Poll
1) Northwest Missouri – 296 Points [22 First-Place Votes]
2) Nebraska Kearney – 263 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
3) Pittsburg State – 237 Points [1 First Place Vote]
4) Washburn – 226 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
5) Fort Hays State – 180 Points
6) Emporia State – 175 Points
7) Missouri Western – 156 Points
8) Central Oklahoma – 136 Points 
9) Central Missouri – 108 Points
10) Missouri Southern – 95 Points
11) Northeastern State – 52 Points
12) Lincoln – 26 Points