DOYLESTOWN (PA) – The Delaware Valley College football team is ranked seventh in the Division III Top 25 preseason polls in both The Sporting News and Lindy's college football preseason publications. In addition, senior linebacker linebacker Kyle Gesswein was named to both preseason All-America Teams while senior offensive lineman Mike Long earned a spot on the Lindy's squad.

It marks the second year in a row that Delaware Valley is ranked in the top 10 in both publications as the Aggies were fourth in Lindy's 2009 edition and fifth in The Sporting News. Delaware Valley went on to amass a 10-2 record, capture its second straight Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) championship and reach the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. 

In the preseason story, The Sporting News' Mike Goens wrote the following about the Aggies: 

“Eighteen starters return at Delaware Valley, which advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season. And with a tough 2010 non-conference schedule, that experience will be invaluable. Kyle Gesswein (98 tackles, 11 sacks) is one of the nation's best linebackers. He'll lead other big defensive hitters in linebacker Chris James, safety Ryan McCullough and end Garrett Wooters. Quarterback Mark Hatty, who started one game last year and played brilliantly, holds the key. Offensive tackles Mike Long and Mike Lewis will make room for tailback Matt Cook (1,312 rushing yards).

Lindy's provides one line of information on all of the top 25 teams and writer Dominic DiRienzo gave Delaware Valley the following:

“7. Delaware Valley – Senior LB Kyle Gesswein posted 11 sacks last year"

Gesswein was a preseason All-American last year and he came through with a season to remember as he paced the team in tackles (98), tackles for loss (18), sacks (11) and forced fumbles (three) while also notching four pass breakups, one interception and one blocked kick. He also became Delaware Valley's all-time leader in sacks with 30. Gesswein was then named both the MAC and D3football.com East Region Defensive Player of the Year and was later named a first team All-American by D3footballcom.

Long was a 2009 D3football.com honorable mention All-American as the 6-foot-2, 270-pound left tackle helped the Aggie offense average 30.7 points and 382.5 yards (184.8 avg rushing, 197.7 avg passing) per game, including four, 40-plus point performances. It is the first time he has been named to a preseason All-America Team.

Two of Delaware Valley's 2010 opponents are also ranked in the preseason Top 25. Wesley College, which reached the NCAA semifinals a year ago, is ranked third by Lindy's and fifth by The Sporting News. The Sporting News has the September 18 showdown in Dover as one of the “Games To Watch” in Division III. 

2009 Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) champion and NCAA qualifier Washington & Jefferson College is ranked 21st by both publications. Washington & Jefferson will make the trip to Doylestown on September 11 for the first year of the “PAC-MAC Challenge Series.” 

Delaware Valley will open the 2010 campaign on Saturday night, September 4 (7:00 p.m.) when it travels to Muhlenberg College for a non-conference game.