ORWIGSBURG — Schuylkill Haven received six of the nine first-place votes in the Anthracite Football League Coaches Preseason Poll and is the favorite to win the league title with 78 of a possible 81 points in balloting conducted Wednesday at the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Preseason Media Day held at Roman Delight, Route 61, Orwigsburg.
Following the Hurricanes in the balloting is perennial league contender North Schuylkill, which received two first-place votes and 69 points. Defending AFL champion Tamaqua received the remaining first-place vote is projected to finish third with 64 points.
Marian is ranked fourth with 54 points, Mahanoy Area fifth with 33 points, Shenandoah Valley sixth with 31 points, Jim Thorpe seventh with 29 points, Panther Valley eighth with 28 points and Minersville ninth with 19 points.
2013 Anthracite Football League Coaches Preseason Poll
(Teams receive 9-1 points in descending order; first-place votes in parentheses.)
1. Schuylkill Haven (6) 78
2. North Schuylkill (2) 69
3. Tamaqua (1) 64
4. Marian 54
5. Mahanoy Area 33
6. Shenandoah Valley 31
7. Jim Thorpe 29
8. Panther Valley 28
9. Minersville 19