KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Heart of America Athletic Conference has announced the Heart Football Preseason Coaches' Poll for the upcoming 2020 season. Central Methodist University was picked to finish sixth in the South Division this season, after posting a 5-5-1 record in 2019.

Head coach David Calloway will lead the Eagles in his fifth season at the helm. Last season, he led the Eagles to a number of impressive wins, including a dominating victory over then-ranked No. 9 Evangel on Senior Day. Two-time All-American, Katavious Taylor, is set to headline a number of top returners for the upcoming season. 

For the second year in a row, Benedictine was selected as the favorite to claim the South Division title after receiving three first-place votes. Baker, last season's defending division champ, was picked to finish second after receiving two first-place votes. Evangel claimed the final available first-place vote and landed in third place while Missouri Valley and MidAmerica Nazarene finished tied for fourth. 

Across division lines, Grand View was chosen to repeat as the North Division champion after receiving five first-place votes and the maximum 50 points. Culver-Stockton and William Penn finished in a predicted tie for second place, with the Wildcats claiming the final first-place vote. Clarke, Peru State, and Graceland rounded out the team in the North Division poll. 

Central Methodist is set to open the season with a home contest against Grand View on Saturday, September 12th. The Eagles are set to open divisional play on the road against Missouri Valley on October 17th. A full schedule for the 2020 season can be found here.