MCKINNEY, Texas – The Angelo State football team was selected to finish fourth in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll, the league announced Thursday during its annual Football Media Day at McKinney ISD Stadium.

The Rams received 215 points and one of the 30 first-place votes in the poll submitted by the conference's head coaches, sports information directors and media members.

Defending conference champion Central Washington was picked to repeat after collecting 276 points and 16 first-place votes. Western Oregon and West Texas A&M rounded out the top three. UT Permian Basin, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Eastern New Mexico, Midwestern State, Western New Mexico and Sul Ross State followed the Rams to complete the preseason rankings.

Last season, the Rams opened the year with four consecutive victories over Fort Hays State, Emporia State, Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico before dropping five of the last seven match ups to finish 6-5.

In addition to the preseason poll, running back Cameron Dischler and cornerback Eugene Liger were named to the Lone Star Conference Players to Watch list.

Dischler, a redshirt junior majoring in kinesiology, led the Rams' rushing attack last season with nearly 500 rushing yards while scoring three touchdowns on the ground.

Liger, a fifth year senior from Cypress, Texas, started all 11 games in the secondary and totaled 44 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded seven pass breakups and two interceptions during the 2025 campaign.

The Rams open the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27, when they host Fort Hays State at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

2026 Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll

Rank	School	Points (1st-Place Votes)
1.	Central Washington	276 (16)
2.	Western Oregon	247 (9)
3.	West Texas A&M	217 (1)
4.	Angelo State	215 (1)
5.	UT Permian Basin	203 (2)
6.	Texas A&M-Kingsville	162
7.	Eastern New Mexico	125 (1)
8.	Midwestern State	112
9.	Western New Mexico	58
10.	Sul Ross State	35