OVERLAND PARK – The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced the Preseason Coaches' Polls for its two football divisions and the Benedictine Football team was selected as the preseason favorite in the Heart South.
Coming off its second straight trip to the NAIA Football Championship Series under head coach Joel Osborn, the Ravens earned 47 points with 5 first-place votes as the top selection in the Heart South. Defending NAIA National Champion, and the only team to beat Benedictine in 2025, Grand View University is the preseason favorite in the Heart North with 62 points and 6 first-place votes.
Behind Benedictine in the Heart South was MNU with 39 points (1 first-place vote), Baker with 36 points, Missouri Baptist with 24 points (1 first-place vote) and Missouri Valley with 21 points to round out the top five. Central Methodist (20 points) and William Woods (9 points) rounded out the Preseason Heart South Poll.
William Penn and Peru State were selected second and third in the Heart North with both receiving 1 first-place vote. The Ravens travel to Peru State during week one after a week zero road trip to Morningside University on Aug. 29. The Ravens host their home opener against William Penn on Sept. 12.
Offensively, the Ravens return a pair of All-Heart South selections in Titan Osburn and Joseph Lagafuaina. Osburn led the Ravens in 2025 with a 57.9 yards per game average while Lagafuaina was third at 44.3 yards per game.
Defensively, the Ravens return All-Heart South Defensive Player of the Year, and NAIA All-American, Isaiah Hasten. All-Heart South selections Dylan Witherspoon and Peyton Jobe join Hasten in the defensive backfield. Zachary LaCombe was also an All-Heart selection on defense. Hasten led the Ravens with 9 interceptions while recording 35 tackles. He also averaged 15.3 yards per game as a receiver. Witherspoon was the Ravens top tackler in 2025 with 73 total tackles that induced 2.5 for a loss to go along with 2 interceptions and 3 breakups. Jobe finished 2025 with 45 tackles with an interceptions, a team-high 8 breakups with 2 forced fumbles. LaCombe finished 2025 with 47 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss and 2 breakups.
On special teams, the Ravens return All-Heart selection Christian Klobe. Klobe accounted for 109 points in 2025 with 11 field goals – that included a school record 55-yard field goal. He went 76 of 76 on extra points.
The complete release of both Heart Coaches' Polls is available at https://heartofamericaconference.com/sports/fball/2026-27/releases/20260813ki9xby.
Benedictine opens up the season on Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. in Sioux City, Iowa, against the Morningside University Mustangs.
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