CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) has released its 2025 Football Preseason Coaches Poll, and Mount St. Joseph University was tabbed as the league favorite.
The Lions earned the top spot with 36 points and all six possible first-place votes. Hanover College followed in second with 31 points and the remaining first-place vote, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology placed third with 26 points. Franklin College rounded out the top half of the poll at fourth with 19 points.
Mount St. Joseph enters the fall as the three-time defending HCAC Champion, with three straight NCAA Division III playoff appearances. The Lions will once again be led by a star-studded roster, including d3football.com Preseason All-America selections Eli Aston (WR) and Luke Paff (LB). Aston shattered multiple MSJ records in his debut season, while Paff anchors a veteran defense. They are joined by fellow All-HCAC returners Luke Fortkamp and Brock Harris.
In addition, four Lions were named HCAC Players to Watch for 2025:
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Brady Pierce (DB) – Back from injury after a breakout 2023 season.
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Carter Lindemann (LB) – Steps into a starting role after contributing as a key rotational player.
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Donnie Lewis (OL) – Junior right tackle set to anchor a rebuilt offensive line.
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Jaxon Schreiber (QB) – Junior signal-caller ready to lead one of the league's most explosive offenses.
The Lions open their season on September 6 at Muskingum before returning home on September 13 for a showdown with No. 22 Aurora.
