Duquesne 2nd, St. Francis 3rd in Northeast Conference preseason football coaches poll

Duquesne is a strong contender to claim another Northeast Conference championship this season, according to the league’s annual preseason coaches poll.

After going 8-4, 6-1 in the NEC last season, Sacred Heart finished in the top spot in the poll with five first-place votes. After finishing second with a 7-3 mark last season, 5-2 in the conference, the Dukes were picked to finish second.

St. Francis was picked third, followed by Central Connecticut, Merrimack, Long Island, Wagner and Stonehill. Merrimack and Stonehill are ineligible for postseason play as they continue their NCAA reclassifcation process.

Seven Duquesne players were chosen preseason all-conference. That includes running back Billy Lucas, wide receiver Joey Isabella and offensive lineman Vincent Lumia on offense, lineman Maxi Hradecny, linebacker Todd Hill (Steel Valley) and defensive back Jeremiah Josephs (Gateway) on defense and punter Michael Berarducci on special teams.

Duquesne has been picked first or second in the conference in the preseason poll for 12 straight years. The Dukes have won five conference titles since 2011 and earned the league’s automatic berth into the FCS playoffs in 2015 and 2018.

At least two Duquesne games will be streamed on ESPN3 this season – Oct. 1 at Stonehill and Oct. 8 at home against Merrimack.

Duquesne opens the season Aug. 27 at Florida State in a game televised by the ACC Network. Its home opener is Sept. 10 against Thomas More.

St. Francis was picked third after going 5-6, 4-3 in the conference last year. It was the Red Flash’s third winning record in conference play since 1996.

Defensive lineman Donnell Brown, offensive lineman Seth Osborne and kicker Alex Schmoke were named to the preseason all-conference team.

St. Francis will open its season Sept. 1 at Akron.