GATEWAY FOOTBALL CONFERENCE 2003 preseason poll and team

POLL
(Voted on by coaches, sports information directors and media members, with first-place votes in parentheses):
Western Illinois (24)247
Western Kentucky (6)218
Youngstown State171
Northern Iowa (1)139
Illinois State131
Southern Illinois130
SW Missouri State (1)74
Indiana State42
PRESEASON TEAM
Quarterback: Russ Michna, Western Illinois, 6-3, 230, Sr.
Running backs: Muhammad Abdulqaadir, Southern Illinois, 5-7, 200, Sr.; Tom Koutsos, Southern Illinois, 5-11, 220, Sr.
Fullback: Nate Schurman, SW Missouri State, 6-2, 247, Sr.
Wide receivers: Courtney Abbott, Southern Illinois, 6-6, 205, Sr.; Marlus Mays, Northern Iowa, 6-0, 201, Sr.
Tight end: Ryan King, Indiana State, 6-4, 250, Sr.
Offensive linemen: Buster Ashley, Western Kentucky, 6-4, 300, Jr.; Josh Davis, Youngstown State, 6-5, 300, Sr.; Stafford Davis, Illinois State, 6-1, 267, Soph.; Fred Layne, Western Illinois, 6-4, 295, Jr.; Daniel Withrow, Western Kentucky, 6-3, 300, Sr.
Placekicker: Justin Langan, Western Illinois, 5-11, 180, Jr.
Defensive linemen: Kyle Mitchell, Indiana State, 6-2, 230, Soph.; Matt Mitchell, Northern Iowa, 6-3, 236, Sr.; Mike O'Brien, Western Illinois, 6-3, 280, Sr.; Ray Robinson, Illinois State, 6-2, 230, Sr.
Linebackers: Erik Dandy, Western Kentucky, 6-0, 205, Sr.; Boomer Grigsby, Illinois State, 6-0, 245, Jr.; Darryl Robinson, SW Missouri State, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Lee Russell, Western Illinois, 6-0, 230, Sr.
Defensive backs: Victor Campbell, Western Illinois, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Jeremy Chandler, Western Kentucky, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Alexis Moreland, Southern Illinois, 6-1, 205, Jr.; Antonio Veals, Western Kentucky, 6-0, 190, Sr.
Punter: Brian Claybourn, Western Kentucky, 6-1, 185, Jr.
Return specialist: Reggie Gray, Western Illinois, 5-11, 170, Soph.
Honorable Mention
Running backs: Travis Glasford, Western Illinois; Brandon Robinson, Southern Illinois
Wide receivers: Terrance Hall, Western Illinois; Dwayne Smith, Illinois State
Center: Brad Durham, SW Missouri State
Offensive linemen: Jeremy Mehlville, Illinois State; Marc Phillips, Indiana State; Ben Deike, Northern Iowa
Defensive lineman: Jon Kowalyshen, Western Illinois
Linebackers: Justin Dellarose, Youngstown State; Jonathan Harrell, Northern Iowa; Charles Thompson, Western Kentucky; Royal Whitaker, Southern Illinois
Defensive backs: Daryl Warren, SW Missouri State; Sherod Holmes, Youngstown State; Justin Sandy, Northern Iowa; Benny Sapp, Northern Iowa
Return specialist: Antonio Veals, Western Kentucky