1. Fort Lewis (4) 14 6-2 6-4
2. Nebraska-Kearney (4) 21 7-1 9-3
3. Chadron State (1) 22 4-4 4-6
4. Colorado Mines 24 6-2 6-5
5. Adams State 36 5-3 6-5
6. Mesa State 38 4-4 5-6
7T New Mexico Highlands 55 0-8 1-10
7T Western New Mexico 55 0-0 5-5
9. Western State 58 2-6 2-9
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- July 7, 2006 -- Fort Lewis College has been selected as the 2006 RMAC preseason football favorite, as voted by the leagues nine head coaches. The Skyhawks, who have not won a league title since 1984, tied for second place with Colorado Mines in 2005. Nebraska-Kearney, the defending RMAC Champions, was voted second in the preseason coaches poll after receiving 21 points. The Lopers lone conference loss last year came at the hands of Fort Lewis. UNK received a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs last year, falling to Pittsburg State in the first round, 49-20.
Chadron State, who is returning last year's Offensive Player of the Year, Danny Woodhead (North Platte, Neb.), received one first place vote and 22 points to finish third. The Orediggers finished fourth, followed by Adams State and Mesa State. New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico each received 55 points to tie for seventh place. Western State rounded out the preseason coaches poll with 58 points.
Two schools have new faces at the helm this season: Carl Ferril returns to New Mexico Highlands while Pat Stewart will make his head coaching debut at Western State. Western New Mexico rejoins the RMAC after a 16-year hiatus. Charley Wade is the Mustangs head coach.
Fort Lewis swept the preseason individual awards. Senior quarterback Matt Gutierrez (Thornton, Colo.) was named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Gutierrez led the Skyhawks last year in rushing (536 yards) and threw for more than 2,600 yards and 27 touchdowns. Reed Duvall (Durango, Colo.), who was named last year's Defensive Player of the Year, was voted the Preseason Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Year. He registered 106 tackles and averaged 12.8 yards on punt returns.
2006 RMAC Football Preseason Honors
Preseason All-RMAC Team - Offense
QB: Matt Gutierrez, Fort Lewis (Sr., 6-0, 199)
RB: Danny Woodhead, Chadron State (Jr., 5-9, 193)
RB: Bobby Coy, Mesa State (So., 5-11, 190)
RB: Bryan Florendo, Colorado Mines (Sr., 5-11, 200)
WR: Drew Bohannan, Mesa State (Jr., 5-10, 175)
WR: J.R. Finley, Western State (So., 6-2, 185)
WR: Gene Mejia, Adams State (Sr., 5-8, 170)
TE: Chris Ross, Adams State (Jr., 6-2, 210)
OL: Jared Lee, Chadron State (Sr., 6-4, 265)
OL: Chris Ludin, Adams State (Sr., 6-3, 300)
OL: Cory Karpilo, Adams State (Jr., 6-2, 300)
OL: Jordan Ashby, Fort Lewis (Sr., 6-3, 285)
OL: Jonathan Call, Fort Lewis (Sr., 6-3, 280)
P: Jason Davis, Western State (Jr., 5-10, 176)
PK: Aaron Abel, Colorado Mines (Jr., 6-0, 178)
Preseason All-RMAC Team - Defense
DE: Sir Keevin Hardiman, Nebraska-Kearney (Sr., 6-1, 230)
DE: George Holley, Adams State (Sr., 6-3, 210)
DT: Charles Yarbrough, Colorado Mines (Sr., 6-3, 260)
DT: Thomas Stevenson, Fort Lewis (Sr., 6-4, 280)
OLB: Mike McDonald, Adams State (Sr., 5-9, 200)
OLB: Nick Oberle, Nebraska-Kearney (Sr., 5-10, 190)
ILB: Danny Sprague, Colorado Mines (Sr., 6-2, 235)
ILB: Phil Strickland, Fort Lewis (Sr., 5-11, 200)
DB: Reed Duvall, Fort Lewis (Sr., 5-11, 192)
DB: Paul Jimenez, Nebraska-Kearney (Sr., 5-11, 190)
DB: Cody Assman, Chadron State (Sr., 5-10, 170)
DB: Tony Gibalski, Adams State (Sr., 5-11, 170)
PR: Reed Duvall, Fort Lewis (Sr., 5-11, 192)
KR: Tony Gibalski, Adams State (Sr., 5-11, 170)
RMAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Matt Gutierrez, Fort Lewis College
(QB: Sr., 6-0, 199)
(Thornton, Colo. / Thornton H.S.)
RMAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Reed Duvall, Fort Lewis College
(DB: Sr., 5-11, 192)
(Durango, Colo. - Durango H.S.)
RMAC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year
Reed Duvall, Fort Lewis College
(PR: Sr., 5-11, 192)
(Durango, Colo. - Durango H.S.)
Sarah Meier is the Director of Media Relations for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference