Football | 7/28/2025 10:05:00 AM

July 28, 2025 – The MIAA released their Preseason Football Coaches and Media Polls as part of MIAA Football Media Days being held in Emporia, Kansas on Monday. Emporia State is picked to finish fifth in the coaches poll and sixth by the media ahead of the 2025 season.
 
The Hornets are 25-10 over the last three seasons and have won seven or more games each of the last three seasons. Emporia State will rely on a host of newcomers along with returners looking to improve their role.
 
Offensive returners include wide receiver Trenden Collins who had 76 catches for 791 yards and four touchdowns. The receiving core also brings back Ethan Schultze, Kingsley Bennett, Mason Ford, and Malik O'Atis who all tallied over 150 yards last season.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, CJ Adams and Dakote Doyle-Robinson return along the defensive line. Cade Stephenson, who tallied 37 total tackles and two interceptions returns at linebacker and the secondary includes Tyler Schultze and Peyton Taylor with Schultze leading the team with five interceptions in 2024.


 
In the coaches poll, Central Oklahoma was tabbed as the favorite, receiving seven of ten first-place votes with Pittsburg State receiving the other three and being picked second. Fort Hays State and Central Missouri rounded out the top four with the Hornets being picked fifth. Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western, Nebraska-Kearney, Washburn and Missouri Southern rounded out the coaches poll.
 
In the media poll, Central Oklahoma received 18 first-place votes but finished second behind Pittsburg State who received 13 first-place votes. The top four was again rounded out by Fort Hays State and Central Missouri with Northwest Missouri taking the fifth spot just ahead of the Hornets.
 
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Oklahoma [7] – 78 points
2. Pittsburg State [3] – 75 points
3. Fort Hays State – 62 points
4. Central Missouri – 57 points
5. Emporia State – 50 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 41 points
7. Missouri Western – 29 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 28 points
9. Washburn – 21 points
10. Missouri Southern – 9 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
 
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Pittsburg State [13] – 310 points
2. Central Oklahoma [18] – 307 points
3. Fort Hays State [2] – 271 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 239 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 215 points
6. Emporia State – 167 points
7. Nebraska Kearney – 120 points
8. Missouri Western – 107 points
9. Washburn – 88 points
10. Missouri Southern – 46 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes