After reaching the NAIA football championship game in each of the last two seasons, it probably does not come as a surprise the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) coaches have selected the Red Raiders as the favorite to win the league in 2024.
After winning the national championship in 2022, Northwestern fell to Keiser University in last season’s national title contest to finish the year with a record of 14-1.
The Red Raiders totaled 97 points and seven first place votes with coaches not allowed to vote for their own team. Morningside was picked second with 89 points and three first place votes while Dordt was picked third with 87 points and one first place vote.
Northwestern and Dordt both open their seasons on September 7th with GPAC contests. The Raiders are at Hastings and the Defenders visit Midland.
Once again this season you will be able to hear Dordt football on Hawk Country 106.9 KIHK and Northwestern football on 93.9 KSOU as well as online at siouxcountyradio.com and on the Sioux County Radio app courtesy of the How-To Building Center and Touch of Hope.
2024 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll:
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS | (1st PLACE VOTES) |
| 1. | Northwestern | 97 | (7) |
| 2. | Morningside | 89 | (3) |
| 3. | Dordt | 87 | (1) |
| 4. | Midland | 67 | |
| 5. | Concordia | 65 | |
| 6. | Hastings | 49 | |
| 7. | Dakota Wesleyan | 44 | |
| 8. | Briar Cliff | 39 | |
| 9. | Mount Marty | 31 | |
| 10. | Waldorf | 20 | |
| 11. | Doane | 17 |
