BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The West Liberty University football team checked in at No. 6 on Wednesday as the Mountain East Conference coaches revealed their 2018 Preseason Poll during MEC Media Day festivities at the Bridgeport Conference Center.

Shepherd, under first-year head coach Ernie McCook, occupied its familiar No. 1 spot as the three-time defending champion Rams received six of the 11 first-place votes and 94 points to lead the balloting.

Fairmont State collected three of the remaining first-place votes and 88 points but barely edged out Notre Dame with one first-place vote and 87 points. Charleston collected the other first-place vote and was fourth with 63 points while West Virginia State (61) rounded out the top five.

Coach Roger Waialae’s Hilltoppers led a three-team logjam in the middle of the pack with 45 points followed by UVa-Wise (44) and West Virginia Wesleyan (42). Glenville State (35), Urbana (34) and Concord (12) rounded out the list.

West Liberty is looking to rebound from an injury-riddled 3-8 campaign a year ago and Waialae welcomes back 15 starters and 40 lettermen. A strong recruiting class, including a number of collegiate transfers, combined with the return to health of several key performers who missed significant time last fall has sparked optimism on the hilltop campus.

“I like to tell people we had three recruiting classes this year,” said Waialae, now the dean of conference coaches as he heads into his 14th season. “We have a really good freshman class and brought in some quality transfers but the thing I’m most excited about is we are getting back a lot of kids who have started for us in the past but had to redshirt last year because of injuries.”

Defense should be a strength for the Black and Gold with returning All-America LB Cliff Clark, who led the MEC in tackles a year ago, and two-time all-conference safety Logan Deri leading the way. Four-year starter Austin Yackey anchors and is one of four returning starters on what figures to be an improved offensive line, but all eyes will be on what figures to be an outstanding quarterback battle when camp kicks off next week.

“We have three guys with NCAA Division II starting experience,” Waialae said. “Zach Phillips was a two-year starter at Gannon who transferred in this year. Brenton Colabella is also back. He was our starter last year until he went down with an injury. He was replaced by Lukas O’Connor, who also returns. All three guys are equal coming into camp and they’ll make the decision for us.

“I’ve been around this game long enough to know that it all comes down to quarterback play and line play. If your quarterback makes good decisions and takes care of the football and your lines can dominate up front, you’re going to win a lot of football games. I can’t wait to see these guys back on the field.”

This will be the final season for the MEC’s current ootball lineup as Shepherd and UVa-Wise will be departing for other conferences. Wheeling Jesuit will play a junior-varsity schedule this year before moving up to full varsity status in 2019. The league’s newest member, Frostburg State (Md.), will also come aboard next season as the Bobcats begin their three-year transition from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II status.

The Hilltoppers open the 2018 season at Urbana on Aug. 30. Kickoff for the Thursday night contest is set for 7 p.m.

Bethany Picked No. 8 in PAC

LATROBE, Pa. — Bethany College sixth-year head coach Bill Garvey and senior defensive back John Lee represented the program at the annual Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Football Media Day at the Sis & Herman Dupre Science Pavilion on the campus of Saint Vincent College Thursday afternoon.

The team was picked to finish eighth by the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) coaches and sports information directors and media at the league’s annual football media day. Washington & Jefferson was selected as the league-favorite, while Case Western Reserve and Westminster rounded out the top 3.

The Bison open the season Saturday, Sept. 1 when they play host to Ursinus for a non-conference game at Bison Stadium at 12 p.m.