CHADRON, Neb. - Two national magazines have tabbed the Chadron State College football team as one of the nation's elite for the 2007 season.
Lindy's Sports Annual has placed the Eagles third on its Division II preseason top 25 while Street and Smith's Official Yearbook has them sixth.
Chadron State coach Bill O'Boyle said that while the high rankings are not unexpected and bring recognition to the program, they're not something he enjoys.
"I liked last year when we weren't predicted to do much and then had a great season," O'Boyle said. "We knew we'd be selected pretty high this year because of how we did last year and because we've got a lot of good players coming back. But everyone knows it's what you do on the field that matters. The preseason stuff doesn't matter five minutes after the season starts."
Lindy's and Street and Smith have last year's two top teams, Grand Valley State of Michigan and Northwest Missouri State, first and second, respectively, on this year's preseason list. Lindy's puts the Eagles third, followed by North Dakota, Bloomsburg of Pennsylvania and Nebraska-Omaha.
Street and Smith has North Dakota third, followed by North Alabama, Nebraska-Omaha, Chadron State and Shepherd of West Virginia.
