Reinhardt Edges Pikeville for Top Spot in AAC Football Preseason Poll

WALESKA, Ga. - Reinhardt is the pick to win the 2024 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Football championship but the race is expected to be a close one, according to the AAC Coaches' Poll released on Thursday.

The poll was voted on by the seven head coaches in the AAC.

This is the third season the AAC has sponsored football as a championship sport, and Reinhardt has captured the first two championships.

The Eagles received four of the seven first-place votes to earn the top spot with 46 voting points. Meanwhile, Pikeville is hot on their heels in second with three first-place votes and 45 voting points.

Reinhardt is seeking their ninth conference title in a row, having won six Mid-South Conference Appalachian Division championships prior to the AAC sponsoring football in 2022.

Rounding out the field are Bluefield, Point, Union Commonwealth, Kentucky Christian, and St. Andrews.

Here is a complete look at the poll:

AAC Football Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Vote) - Total Voting Points
1. Reinhardt (4) - 46
2. Pikeville (3) - 45
3. Bluefield - 29
4. Point - 28
5. Union - 22
6. Kentucky Christian - 18
7. St. Andrews - 8