VALLEY CITY, ND (NewsDakota.com)  The Valley City State football team has been selected to finish second in the North Star Athletic Association Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the conference office announced Monday. VCSU finished second in the conference last season after posting a 6-2 conference record.

VCSU opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Minot State University. The Vikings will host its conference opener on Sept. 21 against Dakota State for VCSU’s Homecoming game.

The NSAA selected Dickinson State as the preseason favorite to win the league title for the tenth consecutive season.  Coaches were allowed to vote for their own team in the preseason poll.

Valley City State finished second after collecting 19 points. Jamestown, who returns to the NSAA conference this season since 2017-18, finished third after registering 15 points.

Mayville State edged Dakota State by one point (8-7) for fourth place in the coaches’ preseason poll.

To earn an automatic bid to the NAIA Football Championships Series (FCS), a team must win their conference regular-season title.  At-large berths will be determined by the NAIA Football National Selection Committee. Teams earning an at-large berth must be ranked in the Top 25 of the final NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 poll.