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The show must go on.
COVID-19 has caused several programs to opt out of the 2021 spring football season. Still, there are several teams who are continuing on with the season. One of those programs is Southern who defeated Alabama State 24-21 to open its season on Friday and was voted No. 1 in the BOXTOROW Coaches and Media Polls.
In the coaches poll, the Jaguars received 11 first place votes and finished 24 points ahead of second place South Carolina State who is scheduled to open its season in a few weeks. Alabama A&M, Grambling, and the Jackson State Tigers, who opened the season last Sunday with a 53-0 victory over Edward Waters, round out the top five.
The Delaware State Hornets, who haven’t been in the top 10 since 2012, entered at No. 9 after defeating Howard 17-10 in Dover, Del. on Saturday.
The media saw it a little differently, voting Jackson State No. 2 who also received two first place votes. Grambling came in at No. 3 while South Carolina State, who received three first place votes was No. 4 and Delaware State rounded out the top five.
Jackson State, traveling to Grambling, La. to take on the Grambling State Tigers, highlights the schedule for Week 3.
The BOXTOROW HBCU FCS coaches poll and media poll is administered by FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW. The coaches poll, in its 12th year is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches and the media poll, in its 14th year, is voted on by media members around the country who cover HBCU football.
Spring 2021 BOXTOROW FCS HBCU Football Coaches Poll
Week 2
(Records through February 28, 2021)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts | Preseason Poll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern (11) | 1-0 | 155 | 4 |
| 2 | South Carolina State (4) | 0-0 | 131 | 3 |
| 3 | Alabama A&M (1) | 0-0 | 116 | 5 |
| 4 | Grambling | 0-0 | 109 | 6 |
| 5 | Jackson State | 1-0 | 89 | 9 |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M | 0-0 | 84 | 7 |
| 7 | Alabama State | 0-1 | 63 | 8 |
| 8 | Tennessee State | 0-1 | 48 | 10 |
| 9 | Delaware State | 1-0 | 47 | NR |
| 10 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 0-0 | 23 | NR |
Other receiving votes: Howard (0-1) 9, Texas Southern (0-0) 3.
(1st place votes in parentheses)
Spring 2021 BOXTOROW HBCU Football Media Top 10 Poll
Week 2
(Records through February 28, 2021)
| No. | Team | W-L | Pts. | 2019 Final Poll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern (8) | 1-0 | 131 | 6 |
| 2 | Jackson State (2) | 1-0 | 98 | NR |
| 3 | Grambling | 0-0 | 82 | 8 |
| 4 | South Carolina State (3) | 0-0 | 76 | 3 |
| 5 | Delaware State | 1-0 | 71 | NR |
| 6 | Alabama A&M (1) | 0-0 | 67 | NR |
| 7 | Prairie View A&M | 0-0 | 52 | NR |
| T-8 | Alabama State | 0-1 | 51 | NR |
| T-8 | Tennessee State | 0-1 | 51 | NR |
| 10 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 0-0 | 31 | NR |
Other receiving votes: Howard (0-1) 26, Texas Southern (0-0) 12, Mississippi Valley State (0-0) 8, West Virginia State (0-0) 4, Langston (0-2) 1.
(1st place votes in parentheses)