Saint Augustine's College is the preseason football pick along with Fayetteville State to win the CIAA Western Division, according to the coaches' poll announced Thursday, July 26, 2007, at the annual CIAA Football Press Conference & Luncheon at Virginia State University's Jones Dining Hall.

The 2007 CIAA Preseason Football Team was also announced, and the Falcons placed two players - senior defensive tackle Marcus Kennedy (6-3, 280 lbs., Georgetown, SC) and sophomore punter Richard Boone (5-9, 175 lbs., Chester, VA) - on the squad. Boone was named to the All-CIAA rookie team in 2006.

Alex Hall, a senior defensive end, was left off the preseason team despite being named to several All-America teams last season. Hall, a 2006 All-CIAA first-team pick, ranked first in the CIAA and second nationally with 13 sacks last season.

The preseason ranking is the highest for the Falcons, entering their sixth season since restarting football in 2002. The Falcons, 4-6 overall including a 4-3 CIAA mark in 2006, return 11 starters including seven on a defensive unit ranked second nationally a year ago.

"It is a good feeling but we got a lot of work ahead of us," said Falcon Head Coach Michael Costa, the CIAA coach of the year in 2003 and 2005. "Our goal is to stay up top."

The Falcons host Mars Hill at Broughton High School in their first regular-season contest on Sept. 1, 2007. Game time is 1:30 p.m.

Below is the 2007 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish as selected by the CIAA coaches.

EASTERN DIVISION                              WESTERN DIVISION

1. Elizabeth City State                            T-1. Fayetteville State
2. Bowie State                                        T-1. Saint Augustine's
3. Virginia Union                                     3. Johnson C. Smith
4. Virginia State                                      4. Shaw
5. St. Paul's                                            5. Livingstone