The Panthers, who open their season on Sept. 3 against Middle Georgia, have been picked to finish seventh in the USA South.

The preseason football poll was voted upon by the head coaches in the conference, and coaches couldn't vote for their own team.

Huntingdon, which won the conference title with an 8-0 record in 2021, received six of the first-place votes and is first in the poll.

Brevard was picked to finish second, Methodist was third, and conference newcomer Belhaven received two first-place votes and is fourth in the poll.

North Carolina Wesleyan is fifth, and it is followed by Maryville, LaGrange, Southern Virginia, and Greensboro.

The Panthers are looking to bounce back from a tough 2021 season when they went 2-8 overall, and 2-6 in the USA South.

The Panthers are an experienced team, especially on the offensive side with nearly every starter returning, including quarterback Shedrick Lindsey, and All-American tight end De'queze Fryer.

"We've got a good group of guys," said veteran offensive lineman Len Spivey. "We've got the most returners that we've ever had since I've been a part of this program. I think we've got a shot to really do something special."

After non-conference games against Middle Georgia, Berry and Ferrum to begin the season, the Panthers open USA South play against Methodist on Sept. 24 at Callaway Stadium.

The final seven games of the regular season are against conference opponents.

USA SOUTH FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL

(First-place votes in parentheses)

Team                           Points

1 – Huntingdon (6)          62         

2 – Brevard (1)                  51

3 – Methodist                  49

4 – Belhaven (2)              48

5 – N.C. Wesleyan           34

6 – Maryville                    33

7 – LaGrange                    21

8 – Southern Virginia     17

9 – Greensboro               9