Christopher Newport picked by coaches to win USA South Conference

Christopher Newport was selected as the favorite to win the USA South Conference championship this season, according to the league’s coaches. In a preseason poll announced Tuesday, the Captains received 47 votes, including five first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team). Here’s a look at how the coaches think the conference will shape up, along with a quick glance at each team:

1. Christopher Newport
Votes: 47 (5 first-place votes)
2007 record: 7-3 (6-1 USA South)
Coach: Matt Kelchner (eighth season)
Notable: CNU has shared five of the seven USA South titles. The Captains open with a tough non-conference schedule against Wesley and Salisbury, two playoff teams from a year ago. On offense, CNU has three running backs returning with significant experience, and the defensive side includes a gang of veteran linemen. Quarterback, however, might be a question mark.
Quotable: “I think we have a good returning nucleus of football players.” — Kelchner

2. Ferrum
Votes: 40 (2)
2007 record: 5-5 (4-3 USA South)
Coach: Dave Davis (15th season)
Notable: Ferrum is a run-heavy, option-oriented team on offense. That won’t change with a star running back like Mike Vann returning. The reigning conference rookie of the year rushed for 730 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games last year. Although they won’t throw the ball a lot, Davis thinks his wide receivers have improved.
Quotable: “I do feel like this is the best recruiting class we’ve had in several years. I think we have some good talent.” — Davis

3. Maryville
Votes: 39
2007 record: 7-3 (4-3 USA South)
Coach: Tony Ierulli (sixth season)
Notable: The Fighting Scots have eight returners on offense, including star running back Rommel Hightower, who rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He’ll be needed to offset the loss of their starting quarterback Lucas Wall, whose college career was cut short because of a back injury.
Quotable: “We’ve got to be able to keep the pressure off the quarterback, especially early on in the season.” — Ierulli

4. N.C. Wesleyan
Votes: 30 (1)
2007 record: 9-3 (7-0 USA South)
Coach: Mark Henninger (first season)
Notable: Head coach Jack Ginn left after leading the Bishops to the first outright USA South title in conference history last season. Henninger has his work cut out for him. N.C. Wesleyan lost 25 seniors to graduation, including three four-year starters on the offensive line and four linebackers. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Bishops open the season against two playoff teams from a year ago.
Quotable: “There’s no question there’s a void. We experienced that void in our weight room and we experienced that void on the practice field.” — Henninger on the loss of 25 seniors

5. Methodist
Votes: 28
2007 record: 4-6 (4-3 USA South)
Coach: Jim Sypult (17th season)
Notable: The Monarchs have only seven seniors, lost their top running back (Mike Hill) and lost five of six starters on the defensive front. On the plus side, Methodist returns a lot of key components on the offensive line. In the offseason, the team had three points of emphasis: Unity, passion and discipline.
Quotable: “That didn’t come from the coaches. That’s their mission statement.” Sypult on team’s three points of emphasis.

6. Shenandoah
Votes: 20
2007 record: 2-8 (2-5 USA South)
Coach: Paul Barnes (seventh season)
Notable: Shenandoah shared the conference title in 2003 and 2004, but the Hornets have struggled lately. Barnes is confident in his quarterback and running attack entering this season, and he hopes that a few early wins will restore the confidence that his players have been lacking. Winning close games, like the Hornets did during their successful run, will be important.
Quotable: “We’ve got to get the football program back to where it needs to be.” — Barnes

7. Greensboro
Votes: 11
2007 record: 2-8 (1-6 USA South)
Coach: Neal Mitchell (seventh season)
Notable: Greensboro is touting wide receiver/kick returner Torrey Lowe as an All-America candidate. The senior holds five career records, six single-season records and six single-game marks in the Pride record books. But one star player doesn’t equal success. Greensboro must find away to capitalize in late-game situations — an area where it struggled mightily last season.
Quotable: “Our challenge is to stay in touch with that feeling.” Mitchell on his team needing to feel a sense of urgency late in games

8. Averett
Votes: 9
2007 record: 0-10 (0-7 USA South)
Coach: Mike Dunlevy (seventh season)
Notable: After having only five seniors last season, the Cougars have 20 this year. Dunlevy hopes that means the leadership will be improved from a year ago. Averett has returners at most positions, but running back is still an enigma. The Cougars think they have several options in that area to complement their two returning quarterbacks and several experienced receivers.
Quotable: “We did go through some struggles last year, but I think our team will build on that this year.” — Dunlevy