American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll
Related: Football Ranked 9th In Lindy's Sports Preseason Top 25
 
WACO, Texas – After a banner season that watched it tally a program superlative for single season victories, including its first NCAA postseason win, the UNC Pembroke football team will carry a preseason ranking into a campaign for just the third time in school history as the Braves checked in at No. 19 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll on Monday.
 
The Black & Gold were one of just three NCAA Super Region 2 squads included in Monday's release, joining sixth-ranked North Alabama and 11^th-ranked Valdosta State in the listing. Thirteen other NCAA Super Region 2 teams appear in the "others receiving votes" section of the poll.
 
Two-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State, who will carry a 30-game win streak into the 2017 season, tops the poll after garnering all 34 first-place votes. Grand Valley State is in the No. 2 position, while Ferris State, Emporia State and Texas A&M-Commerce round out the top 5.
 
UNCP will hit the gridiron for its 11th season of intercollegiate football in 17 days when the Black & Gold suits up to host region nemesis and preseason Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association (CIAA) pick Winston-Salem State under the lights at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Season tickets have already begun to sell fast for the four-game home schedule which includes a Parents & Families Weekend matchup against Tusculum, as well as a Homecoming contest against Lenoir-Rhyne. Season tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling (910) 521-6361 or emailing braves.club@uncp.edu.