BALTIMORE, MD – Johns Hopkins grabbed five first-place votes and totaled 144 points to earn the number two spot in the 2021 Centennial Conference Preseason Football Poll it was announced today.  The Blue Jays trailed only defending conference champion Muhlenberg (10 first-place votes, 151 points) in the poll of the league's head coaches and athletic communications directors.
 
Johns Hopkins narrowly edged Susquehanna (5, 143) for second place in the poll with Franklin & Marshall (109 points) and Dickinson (90) rounding out the top five.  Ursinus (86) finished just behind Dickinson and the Bears were followed by Moravian (73), McDaniel (45), Juniata (30) and Gettysburg (29).
 
The Blue Jays have claimed at least a share of the Centennial Conference title 10 times in the last 11 seasons (2009-19 / 2020 season canceled due to COVID-19).  Johns Hopkins' 14 overall titles are the most in league history with all 14 coming since 2002.
 
Johns Hopkins posted an 8-3 record, including a 6-3 mark in the Centennial Conference, in 2019.  The Blue Jays capped the 2019 season, their first under head coach Greg Chimera, with a 51-28 win at Stevenson in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series.  Ironically, Johns Hopkins' next game after that victory against the Mustangs will also take place against Stevenson as the teams are scheduled to meet in the 2021 season opener on September 4 at Mustang Stadium.
 
2021 Centennial Conference Preseason Football Poll
Rk.  School (1^st place votes) – Points
1. Muhlenberg (10) – 151
2. Johns Hopkins (5) – 144
3. Susquehanna – (5) – 143
4. Franklin & Marshall – 109
5. Dickinson - 90
6. Ursinus – 86
7. Moravian – 73
8. McDaniel – 45
9. Juniata – 30
10. Gettysburg – 29