Kansas City, Mo. - The defending Heart South Division Champion Central Methodist Football program has been picked to finish third in the Heart South Football Coaches' Preseason Poll, announced Friday. 

Central is coming off its best season in program history in 2021, having won their first conference championship since 1975 with a 9-3 overall record and a perfect 5-0 mark in Heart South Division play. The nine wins tied for the most victories in school history, with the last nine-win season coming in 1930 (9-0).

The Eagles also clinched their first-ever berth into the NAIA-FCS playoffs. 

Baker University has been slated to finish first, recieving four first-place votes, followed by Benedictine College with the final two first-place votes.

The Wildcats have won six of the last seven Heart South Championships, with Central snapping their streak last fall with a 21-19 victory back on Nov. 6 in Fayette. 

In addition to this year's poll, the conference will also feature 2022 Heart Football Media Day. Media day is set to take place Monday, Aug. 8, with all 12 head coaches and select student-athletes on Zoom interviews.

Each head coach and student-athletes will preview their team with their University Sports Information Directors and local media members throughout the day.

Fans may watch media day on the Heart Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter pages. 

To view the complete 2022 Heart Football Coaches' Poll for both Divisions, please see below.

2022 Heart North Preseason Coaches' Poll

(1st Place Votes) 
1. Grand View (5) – 25 pts
2. Culver-Stockton (1) – 21 pts
3. Peru State – 15 pts
4. William Penn – 14 pts
5. Clarke – 8 pts
6. Graceland – 6 pts

2022 Heart South Preseason Coaches' Poll

(1st Place Votes) 
1. Baker (4) – 24 pts
2. Benedictine (2) – 22 pts
3. Central Methodist – 14 pts
4. Evangel – 13 pts
5. MidAmerica Nazarene – 12 pts 
6. Missouri Valley – 5 pts

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