SNOW COLLEGE NO. 4
IN NATIONAL PRESEASON POLL
by Greg Dart

Defensive end Aiono named first-team All-American

Snow College will start the 2008 season ranked No. 4 in the nation.

The Badgers will start the year behind only three teams - the three most previous national champions: Butler Community College, Blinn College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - in the NJCAA/JCFootball.com poll, which was released Monday.

“We know we are going to be a very competitive team this year,” said head coach Steve Coburn who has put together back-to-back 11-1 seasons. “We have a tough schedule, but we think we are prepared.”

Players report to camp Friday.

Along with the ranking, Snow defensive end James Aiono was named a first-team preseason All American.

Aiono will anchor a defense which led the nation last year, only giving up 186 yards per game.

The offensive side will be led by Jon Eastman, who was the nation’s No. 3 passer last year despite only playing seven games. Snow ranked No. 2 nationally in total offense in 2007.

Snow will compliment its returners with a large class of talented recruits, including 17 all-state selections from Utah.

The Badgers start their season Aug. 29 at Air Force Prep in Colorado Springs before traveling to Mesa Sept. 6 and returning home Sept. 13 to face Phoenix Community College.