The Alpena football team has been picked to finish fifth in the Big North Conference this season.

In an annual poll of media outlets covering the Big North’s six schools, the Wildcats were awarded 11 points and fifth place, finishing ahead of Gaylord, which was given seven points.

Traverse City Central, last year’s conference champion was picked to finish first with 28 points. Traverse City West was given 24 points, followed by Cadillac (23) and Petoskey (12).

Those outlets participating in the poll were The Alpena News, the Gaylord Herald-Times, the Petoskey News-Review, the Traverse City Record-Eagle and the Cadillac News.

Alpena, who enters its second season under Aaron Sims, was picked sixth last season.

Central has fared well under coach Eric Schugars, who has gone 18-3 in three seasons. The Trojans graduated a large senior class, but return starters in several key positions. Key returners include junior quarterback Tobin Schwannecke, senior wide receiver/defensive back Dylan Liggett, Senior linemen Quin Doud and Sam Sherwin and senior running back/linebacker Dakota Perry.

The Titans are entering their 11th year under coach Tim Wooer and return experience on both sides of the line and in several of the skill positions to the tune of 14 starters; seven on each side of the line.

Cadillac was one of the conference’s surprise team’s last season and should be running smoother in coach Cody Mallory’s second season. The Vikings return senior quarterback Kegan Brooks and Jared McDaniel in the backfield. Cadillac should also be solid on the offensive line with tackle Jake Kochanny returning.

Petoskey fell hard last season, going 1-8 and finishing with a losing record for the first time 2007. This season should be a different story as the Northmen return 15 players with starting experience.

Key among Petoskey’s returners are quarterback Joel Wilson, running back Jaylin Mitchell and tight end Jake Lee. All three are seniors and the trio combined for nearly 1,900 yards on offense and 20 touchdowns.

The Blue Devils will be embarking on the season with Brant Wilson, who takes over head coaching duties after serving as Gaylord’s defensive coordinator for three years. With a pair of quarterbacks in James Miller and Ryan Miller, the Blue Devils are hoping to make a playoff push in Brant’s rookie season. Gaylord will also be leaning on the experience of its offensive line and linebackers. Bryce Neff, Adam Sobeck and Chris Romero return on Gaylord’s offensive line and Matthew Wilson is a returning linebacker.

Alpena has returners in several key offensive positions and should improve in its second year under Sims’ Wing-T system. Senior Lars MacArthur returns for his third year under center and Alex Arch and Logan Guthrie are among those returning in the backfield. The Wildcats also return several starters on an offensive line, which should help Alpena improve after gaining more than 2,600 rushing yards last season.

With an offseason of tough conditioning, Alpena will be aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2004. A big key for Alpena will be execution as Alpena lost three games last year by seven points or less and ultimately finished 2-7.

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2017 Big North

media poll

1. TC Central–28 points

(3 first-place votes)

2. TC West–24 points

(1 first-place vote)

3. Cadillac – 23 points

(1 first-place vote)

4. Petoskey–12 points

5. Alpena–11 points

6. Gaylord–7 points

Participating media: The Alpena News, Cadillac News, Petoskey News-Review, Gaylord Herald-Times and Traverse City Record-Eagle