Battling Bishops Picked 3rd

Rode by the practice field at North Carolina Wesleyan College today and they have installed a big tent on the side of the field so things are getting ready to start popping as Jeff Filkovski begins his fourth year as the head coach of the Battling Bishops.

August the 1st was Media Day in the USA South and the meeting took place in Montgomery Alabama.  After all the coaches had their turn in talking about the upcoming season they voted and picked Huntingdon to win the title.  Second was Maryville and the Battling Bishops take third.

Coach Filkovski will welcome back to this year's team 73 letterman from last year's team including 19 seniors who we 5-2 last year in conference play.  Last year's offensive player of the year Bishops's Malik Adams wide receiver will return and has been voted by D3football.com has listed Adams as a preseason All American.

Adams lead the conference in points scored last season scoring 130.  He also caught 72 balls collecting 1309 yards and scored 19 touchdown.  It is easy to see why he has been picked as an All American.    Can Adams produced the same kind of numbers this year may have something to do with who the quarterback is as that is a spot up for grabs.  However there are 15 starters returning on both offensive and defense for the Bishops and it is easy to see why they are picked in the upper division of USA South.

The Bishops open the season on Friday night September second when they travel to Stevenson University in Baltimore County Maryland.  September 10th the Bishops open their season at home when they will host the defending National Champions Mount Union who has won 11 DIII national championships.  You know the next week will be the Down East Viking Classic and the city of Rocky Mount always brings in extra seating just for the Classic.  There is no reason what so ever that the home opener should be the largest crowd ever in NC Wesleyan football history.  Let me tell you folks Mount Union is the Notre Dame or Alabama of Division 3 football and who knows this may be the best team to ever visit Rocky  Mount.

The remaining home games will come on October 1st when the preseason USA South number one team Huntingdon comes to Bishop Stadium.  What more can you look for during the first two home games the best team in the country and the preseason conference number one pick coming here.

There are five home games on the schedule and game three is on October 15th against Methodist and that is home coming and Hall Of Fame weekend. The fourth game will see the arrival of Averett on October 29th.  The final home game of the season they will host LaGrange on November 5th.  They will finish the regular season on November 12th making a trip to the mountains of Virginia and Ferrum College.  If you never have seen a Wesleyan Football game this is the year to see your first as the home schedule has never been better.