Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
Aug. 17, 2026 - Picked to win the 20th College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin championship in program history, the North Central College football team sits atop the CCIW Football Preseason Coaches' Poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches.
Last year, the Cardinals won a league-record 51 straight CCIW games, becoming the first program in league history to win 50 or more consecutive conference contests. North Central has earned at least a share of the conference title in 16 of the past 19 seasons.
Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams, giving the Cardinals the maximum available points in this year's poll. North Central finished with 64 points.
Wheaton College follows the Cardinals with 57 points and one first-place vote. Augustana College (47), Illinois Wesleyan University (45) and Carroll University round out the top five. Carthage College (29), North Park University (25), Millikin University (17) and Elmhurst University (8) close out the poll.
Returning First Team All-CCIW selections for North Central are QB Garret Wilson, RB Donovan McNeal, OL Cortez Jones, DL Bobby Medina, DL Maverick Ohle, LB Matt Janiak and DB Brayden Garrigan.
North Central opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against No. 2 Bethel University. Kickoff is set for noon at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. In 2025, the Cardinals beat the Royals 35-21 in the national quarterfinal.
