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MASCAC releases Coaches’ Poll

PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth State University football team was picked to finish fifth in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) by the league’s head coaches Thursday, when the conference announced the results of its annual Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Panthers tallied 41 points to finish five points shy of Framingham State for the fourth place spot. Defending MASCAC champions UMass-Dartmouth collected seven first-place votes to lead the poll with 63 points. Bridgewater State was second with 53 points, edging out WestConn (47 points), Framingham (46) and PSU.

Head coach Paul Castonia returns for his 21st season atop the Plymouth State program. Last fall he led the team to a 9-2 overall mark, including 6-2 in conference play and a spot in the New England Bowl, where the Panthers rallied from a 20-0 deficit to top Husson, 21-20.

Plymouth State welcomes back several key contributors on the offensive side of the ball, led by reigning MASCAC Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Braden Lynn (Littleton, Mass.) and graduate students Manny Sanchez (Winsted, Conn.), Bryan Warren (Pine Bush, N.Y.) and Jake Donahue (Hudson, N.H.). Sanchez rushed for 900 yards last seasin. Warren and Donahue combined for 59 catches for more than 700 yards and seven TDs.

Defensively, senior defensive lineman Emmanuel Ughu (Milford, N.H.) and junior linebacker Evan Wilson (Derry, N.H.) return as All-Conference selections last season, with graduate student Jyaire Hatcher (Uniondale, N.Y.) and senior Luc Normandeau (Dover, N.H.) providing leadership at the defensive back spot. Add in the return of graduate student David Salazar (Waltham, Mass.), who missed last season with an injury, and it’s easy to see why expectations are high on the defensive side of the ball.

Plymouth State opens the season with a trip to VTSU Castleton on Sept. 2, before returning home to Panther Field to host the University of New England in the home opener on Sept. 9. The Panthers head to Bridgewater State on Sept. 16 to kick off the conference slate.

2023 MASCAC Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll (FPV) 

  1. UMass Dartmouth – 63 points (7)
  2. Bridgewater State – 53 points
  3. WestConn – 47 points (1)
  4. Framingham State – 46 points (1)
  5. Plymouth State – 41 points 
  6. Mass. Maritime – 29 points
  7. Westfield State – 19 points
  8. Worcester State – 16 points
  9. Fitchburg State – 10 points

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