Photo by CJ Halloran/@cjhall_photography
BELTON, Texas- With the football season opener just 24 days away, two national outlets have already released their Div. III Preseason Rankings.
The Cru enter the year as the nation’s No. 2 team by College Football America Yearbook, with Mount Union claiming the coveted No. 1 spot. Lindy’s Magazine ranks UMHB at No. 4 to begin the season, Mount Union also taking the top spot in that Top 25 Poll.
Additionally, both publications recognized kicker Anthony Avila and safety/punter Jefferson Fritz on their Preseason All-American teams. College Football America named the duo to its Starting Lineup, which is the yearbook’s version of a Preseason All-American team. Lindy’s has Avila as a First-Team All-American, and Fritz was selected as a Second-Team honoree.
Avila, who earned All-American honors in 2019, was an Honorable Mention ASC All-Conference selection following the five-game spring season. Fritz enters the year as the conference’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year after tallying 28 tackles and three interceptions last season.
Per a UMHB Athletics Department press release: “The Cru expects to return nine offensive starters and ten defensive starters from a team that finished 5-0 in the spring and won the ASC title with a 23-15 win over Hardin-Simmons. UMHB will open practice on Thursday, August 12th, with returners practicing in the morning and newcomers hitting the practice field in the evening.”
