Tigers tabbed second in SEK poll

PITTSBURG -- Fort Scott High School received three first-place votes in a coaches' poll released at a pre-season media conference hosted by KSEK-AM and the crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau here Thursday.

The Tigers, who were in top three on all ballots, finished behind Pittsburg in the poll. The Purple Dragons finished third in the Southeast Kansas League last season but received six first place votes and edged out the Tigers for first place by one point, scoring 68 points.

Columbus, a defending SEK co-champion along with Fort Scott, placed third in the poll with 53 points. Chanute was fourth with 52.

Labette County scored 45 points to place fifth in the poll. Coffeyville was sixth with 36 points followed by Parsons with 35, Independence with 24 and Iola bringing up the rear with 19.

Fort Scott and Columbus shared the SEK title last season with 6-1 league records even though they didn't play each other and both teams lost to Pittsburg on their home fields. However, the Purple Dragons played one fewer league game than both the Tigers and Titans and saw their title hopes dashed by their only SEK defeat at the hands of Chanute.

Football practice opens Monday for all high schools in Kansas. The Tigers' annual Red and White Scrimmage takes place at Frary Field Aug. 24 with their season opener at Parsons on Aug. 31.

The Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee Conference's pre-season poll was also released at the conference. Defending champion Girard received eight first-place votes to finish ahead of Pittsburg Colgan for the top spot. They were followed, in order, by Southeast-Cherokee, Galena, Frontenac, Baxter Springs, Riverton, Erie and Northeast-Arma.

SEK Poll

1. Pittsburg

2. Fort Scott

3. Columbus

4. Chanute

5. Labette County

6. Coffeyville

7. Parsons

8. Independence

9. Iola