The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) released the 2019 Football Preseason Order of Finish and Preseason Team in Salem, VA on Thursday.

The Hawks were picked fourth overall and third in the Northern Division, the highest overall selection under head coach Tim Place.  Chowan finished the 2018 season with a 6-4 record and a 4-2 mark in the CIAA.

Chowan also received five All-CIAA Preseason Football selections, the most selections in program history.  Leading the way for the Hawks is All-American offensive lineman Donald Boone, junior quarterback Bryce Witt, senior running back Tyrell Freeman, junior defensive lineman Rafiq Abdul-Wahid, and senior punter John Kight.

Donald Boone earned his third straight All-CIAA selection with a First Team nod after the previous two seasons on the Second Team in 2019.  Boone and company helped the offense to a program and CIAA best 511.7 yards per game.  Boone picked up several All-American selections including the AFCA First Team All-American selection.

Bryce Witt tied for the most passing touchdowns in the CIAA with 27 and finished with the second-most passing yards with 2,700.  The junior quarterback was fifth in the CIAA in rushing yards with 671 and tallied 10 touchdowns last season.

Tyrell Freeman rushed his way to an All-CIAA First Team selection posting 1,292 yards and 14 touchdowns.  Freeman led the league in yards per carry at 6.9 yards per attempt.

Rafiq Abdul-Wahid earned All-CIAA Second Team honors last season after finishing fourth in the league with seven total sacks.  Abdul-Wahid also tallied 10.5 tackles for loss. John Kight tallied seven punts inside the 20-yd line, with four punts of 50+ yards including a 57-yd punt.

The loaded Northern Division take four of the top five spots in preseason order of finish as defending CIAA Champions, Bowie State, takes the top spot followed by Southern Division representative, Fayetteville State.  Virginia Union picked to finish a spot ahead of Chowan at third with Virginia State slotted at fifth.

Winston-Salem State, Shaw, Elizabeth City State, St. Augustine's, Livingstone, Johnson C. Smith, and Lincoln (PA) round out the preseason order of finish.

To find the full Preseason Order of Finish and CIAA All-Preseason team, click here.