Wildcats Picked to Repeat as GNAC Champions in 2018

The Central Washington University football team is picked to repeat as Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions in 2018, receiving four first-place votes in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Wildcats are coming off a historic run in 2017, going 11-0 in the regular season, and the top overall seed in the NCAA Super Region Four Championships.

Central is getting much preseason praise after finishing 7th in the nation a year ago. The Wildcats are ranked 6th in the College Football America Yearbook's Division II Preseason Poll, and 11th in Street & Smith's Preseason Top 25.

Azusa Pacific earned one first-place vote and is picked to finish second, followed in order by Western Oregon, Humboldt State, and Simon Fraser.

Central Washington returns eight all-conference players, four on offense and four on defense. Offensively, the Wildcats return first-team all-GNAC performers in: James Moore (OL), Nicholas Streubel (OL), and Reilly Hennessey (QB). Senior offensive lineman Luke Asbjornsen returns as a second-team performer.

On the defensive side, Billy Greer and Tyler Hasty return as first-team all-GNAC performers, followed by Darien Williams and Elisha Pa'aga who were named as second-team and honorable mention, respectively.

The 2018 season opens on Sept. 1 in Cheney, Wash. against FCS Powerhouse Eastern Washington University at 1:05 p.m.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2018 season are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.