St. Thomas overwhelming favorite to repeat as Pioneer Football League champ

The Tommies were picked first on eight of 10 coaches' poll ballots, with Davidson and San Diego the other teams to get a first-place vote.

August 1, 2023 at 8:00PM
Running back Shawn Shipman (26) is one of nine all-conference honorees returning to the team this fall. (University of St. Thomas photo/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

After winning the Pioneer Football League title last season, St. Thomas is heavily favored to repeat this year.

The Tommies received 98 of a possible 100 points in the annual coaches' poll Tuesday, including eight of 10 first-place votes. One coach picked Davidson to win the conference and another picked San Diego to win it, with the Tommies picked second on each of those ballots.

The Tommies went 10-1 overall last year and 8-0 in the PFL. They return nine of their 16 all-conference selections and open the new season on Sept. 2 at home against Black Hills State (S.D.).

about the writer

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports enterprise reporter

Joe Christensen, a Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.

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