The Briar Cliff University football team was picked to finish eighth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Tuesday morning.

The Chargers are coming off a historic 2025 campaign, finishing with a 6-5 overall record and a 5-5 mark in conference play. The season marked just the second winning season in program history.

Briar Cliff will enter the 2026 season under the direction of Nathan Koziol, who takes over as head coach after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant and associate head coach.

The Chargers return several key contributors on both sides of the ball, including a pair of All-GPAC selections and an All-American.

Anchoring the offensive line will be All-American and first-team All-GPAC left tackle Zak Rachow. Rachow started all 11 contests for the Chargers last season and will provide experience and stability up front.

At quarterback, Brock Saya returns after setting the program's single-season records for passing yards and completions last season. Saya threw for 2,352 yards and completed 212 passes in 2025.

Saya has appeared in 25 career games and currently ranks second in program history with 4,878 career passing yards and 404 completions. He enters the season just four passing touchdowns shy of the program's all-time record.

The Chargers will also return Honorable Mention All-GPAC receiver Kymani Fleurme. Fleurme hauled in 45 passes for 599 yards and two touchdowns last season.

In his career, Fleurme has appeared in 30 games and totaled 101 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns.

Defensively, second-team All-GPAC performer Dayton Harrell returns to lead the Chargers' secondary. Harrell finished second on the team with 65 total tackles a season ago while leading the squad with 38 solo tackles. He also recorded three interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Briar Cliff will open the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29, hosting Mayville State at Memorial Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

The Chargers will hit the road the following week, traveling to Mount Marty for the third edition of the Catholic Cup. The contest will also mark Briar Cliff's conference opener.

To read the full release, visit HERE.
 
2026 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches' Poll:

RANK	SCHOOL	POINTS	1st Place Votes
1	MORNINGSIDE	96	6
2	DORDT	91	4
3	NORTHWESTERN	82	1
4	CONCORDIA	67
5	MIDLAND	60
6	HASTINGS	59
7	MOUNT MARTY	49
8	BRIAR CLIFF	34
9	DAKOTA WESLEYAN	32
10	DOANE	25
11	WALDORF	10