Campbellsville, Ky. - After taking no less than third and sharing the 2007 title, the UVa-Wise football team is predicted to have its work cut out from it in the fall of 2009. The Highland Cavaliers were picked to finish fourth by the Mid-South East coaches.

UVa-Wise head coach Bruce Wasem has led the program to three-straight eight-plus wins season (8-3 '06, 9-2 '07 & 8-3 '08), a 25-8 overall record in those years and ranked in the final NAIA Top 25 poll.

The Cavs received 24 points for the predicted fourth place rating. Defending champion University of the Cumberlands earned four first place votes and 32 points for the top preseason spot. The East Division's other 2008 NAIA playoff team, Union College garnered two top votes and 29 points for second while Georgetown College was right behind with one top selection and 28 points. Campbellsville, Pikeville and West Virginia Tech rounded out the seven divisional members.

In the Mid-South West Division, NAIA playoff participant Lambuth University received one more first place vote (3) than Shorter College to edge out the top spot 32 to 31 points. Upcoming Cumberland University had the other two first places vote for 28 points in third. Bethel College (23) had an eight-point gap between the lower three teams of Belhaven (15), Faulkner (12) and Kentucky Christian (6).

UVa-Wise begins its 2009 campaign on Saturday night, August 29^th for a 6:00 p.m. kick-off at Seton Hill (Pa.) College.