Wayne, Neb. — Wayne State College was picked eighth overall and fifth in the South Division in the 2022 NSIC Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Wednesday morning by the league office in Burnsville, Minnesota. Senior wide receiver Mason Lee and senior linebacker Jaylan Scott were selected as Wildcat Players to Watch in the NSIC this season.
The Wildcats collected 88 points overall and 19 in the NSIC South Division in voting conducted by coaches from across the league. WSC is coming off a 7-4 campaign in 2021, the first seven-win season for the Wildcats in a decade, while also placing fourth in the NSIC South with a 3-3 divisional record.
Augustana was selected as the team to beat in the NSIC this season with 153 points and five first-place votes followed by Bemidji State in second at 145 points and four first-place votes. Minnesota Duluth was third with 142 points while Minnesota State and Sioux Falls tied for fourth with 136 points each.
In the NSIC South Division poll, Augustana edged Minnesota State in points 32-31 despite the Mavericks receiving one more first place vote (3-2). Sioux Falls was third at 27 points and two first-place votes with Winona State fourth (21 pts) and Wayne State fifth with 19. Upper Iowa (10 pts) and Southwest Minnesota State (7) close out the division poll.
Wayne State’s Offensive Player to Watch is senior wide receiver Mason Lee. The Wayne native is the top returning receiver for the ‘Cats with 35 catches for 529 yards and three TD’s and has caught a pass in 13 straight games and 29 of his last 30 in a Wildcat uniform.
The Wildcats’ Defensive Player to Watch is senior linebacker Jaylan Scott. The 6-2, 215 pounder from Muncie, Indiana (Ellsworth CC) ranked fourth on the Wildcats last season with 43 tackles and tied for first in the NSIC with two fumble recoveries and tied for ninth with three interceptions for 55 return yards.
Wayne State opens the 2022 season at the University of Mary on Saturday, September 3rd at 5:30 p.m.
2022 Preseason NSIC Football Coaches Poll
- Augustana (5) 153 pts.
- Bemidji State (4) 145 pts.
- Minnesota Duluth 142 pts.
- Minnesota State (3) 136 pts.
- Sioux Falls (2) 136 pts.
- Winona State 109 pts.
- Northern State 94 pts.
- Wayne State 88 pts.
- MSU Moorhead 72 pts.
- University of Mary 71 pts.
- Concordia-St. Paul 41 pts.
- Minot State 36 pts.
- Southwest Minnesota State 26 pts.
- Upper Iowa 25 pts.
