Gulf South Conference (GSC) coaches voted this week on who they believe will be the best teams during the 2024 season, with Delta State landing in the No. 3 slot.
The Statesmen, coming off back-to-back GSC championships, earned 41 points along with two first-place votes to place behind Valdosta State and West Florida. It’s worth noting that the preseason top three – each of which made the Division II playoffs in 2023 – were separated by just five points.
“We’re excited that we have a chance to try to make some history here because Delta State has never three-peated. We’ve had three-peats but we’ve never three-peated as Gulf South champions,” Delta State head coach Todd Cooley said. “This team has a chance to do it. It’s going to be a tough road ahead of us, but we’re excited about it. I like our team.”
Delta State fell to West Florida in the regular season last year before knocking the Argonauts out in round one of the playoffs. The very next game, the Statesmen fell to Valdosta State in a 38-31 contest in Cleveland.
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Mississippi College, under first-year head coach Mike Kershaw, came in at No. 6 in front of Chowan and Erskine. Both Delta State and Mississippi College will be represented at GSC Media Days, which begin Thursday in Birmingham, Ala., at 8 a.m. CT.
The Statesmen will open their season on Aug. 29 at Mars Hill, while the Choctaws will get underway Sept. 4 at Shorter.
The full 2024 GSC preseason coaches’ poll is as follows:
1. Valdosta State (5) – 46 points
2. West Florida (1) – 42 points
3. Delta State (2) – 41 points
4. West Alabama – 30 points
5. North Greenville – 24 points
6. Mississippi College – 21 points
T7. Chowan – 10 points
T7. Erskine – 10 points
