The Chattanooga Mocs football team is the pick of litter in the Southern Conference. Coming off its first league title since 1984, the SoCon coaches and media deemed the Mocs the team to beat in 2014.
“It means we have good players,” Head Coach Russ Huesman said.
“There is a long way to go from now until late November (when the regular season ends). What I take from this is we have good players, a good team and they are being recognized for it.”
The coaches picked Chattanooga ahead of 2013 co-champs Furman and Samford. The Mocs got six of a possible eight first-place votes. Wofford is fourth followed by Western Carolina, The Citadel and a tie between Mercer and VMI.
The media was a bit more emphatic. The squad received 29 of 30 first-place tallies. Furman is second trailed by Samford, Wofford, Western Carolina, The Citadel, Mercer and VMI.
The coaches select the preseason all-conference teams. Five Mocs earned first team mention, while four more slotted on the second team. Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year Jacob Huesman and Davis Tull headline the first teamers joined by running back Keon Williams, guard Synjen Herren and tight end Faysal Shafaat. Offensive tackle Corey Levin, defensive tackles Josh Freemanand Derrick Lott and punter Nick Pollard all claimed second team honors.
“Like I have said before, the preseason recognition is great, but our focus is on the season and winning a conference championship,” stated Tull, who is picked to win his third straight SoCon Defensive Player of the Year award.
Williams echoed those thoughts while joining Tull at the SoCon Media Day in Spartanburg, S.C.
“We have a great group of guys who have been working hard in the offseason,” he stated. “There is a lot of individual talent, but we are all focused on the team goal of winning a championship.”
The season kicks off Thursday, August 28, at Central Michigan. The 7 p.m., kick is broadcast on ESPN3. The home opener is nine days later as regional rival Jacksonville State comes to Finley Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now at the link above on GoMocs.com or by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627).