BALTIMORE, MD –- The Johns Hopkins football team is ranked second in the first official NCAA South Region Poll of the 2016 season. This is first of two regional rankings that will be announced during the regular season by the NCAA.

The regional rankings are compiled by the official Regional Advisory Committee and are an accurate representation of where teams stand in the eyes of the NCAA Selection Committee that will put together the bracket for the upcoming NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. Johns Hopkins (8-0, 7-0 CC) can claim the Centennial Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs and no worse than a share of the Centennial title with one win in its final two games.

Mary Hardin-Baylor holds the top spot in the south region and is followed by Johns Hopkins, Hardin-Simmons, Case Western Reserve and Thomas More in the top five. Also from the Centennial Conference, Muhlenberg checks in at number six in the 10-team ranking of South Region teams.

The NCAA Playoffs will begin on Saturday, November 19 with 16 first-round games on campus sites. The bracket for the tournament will be set up in four, eight-team regions (East, South, North, West) and announced on Sunday, November 13 at 6 pm.

In addition to ranking second in the south region, Johns Hopkins is also ranked seventh in the AFCA Poll and ninth in the D3football.com Poll this week.

Johns Hopkins returns to action on Saturday, November 5 when the Blue Jays travel to Franklin & Marshall (6-2, 5-2 CC). Kickoff is set for noon at Sponaugle-Williamson Field.

NCAA Division III South Region Rankings (11-2-2016)
Rk. School (In-Region • Overall)
1. Mary Hardin-Baylor (8-0 • 8-0)
2. Johns Hopkins (8-0 • 8-00
3. Hardin-Simmons (5-1 • 7-10
4. Case Western Reserve (8-0 • 8-00
5. Thomas More (8-1 • 8-1)
6. Muhlenberg (7-1 • 7-1)
7. Berry (7-1 • 7-1)
8. Maryville (TN) (7-1 • 7-1)
9. East Texax Baptist (5-1 • 7-1)
10. Randolph-Macon (7-1 • 7-1)

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