COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Bears picked to finish fifth

The University of Pikeville football Bears have been tabbed by coaches to finish fifth in the Mid-South Conference’s Bluegrass Division.

The Bears received 25 points after a spring campaign in 2021 that featured a 3-4 record in a conference-only season.

Bethel edged UPIKE by a single vote after an identical record a season ago, despite the Bears 35-19 win over the then-25th ranked Wildcats in March.

Defending NAIA national champions Lindsey Wilson College is picked to win the division with 49 points, receiving all but one first-place vote.

Georgetown was slotted runner-up, followed by Cumberlands.

UPIKE football opens the 2021 season on September 4 at St. Thomas (Fla.) University.