The latest preseason poll released by the Centennial Conference placed Johns Hopkins at the summit with 46 points, underscoring the program’s continued prominence in Division III football. The Blue Jays’ 46-point total reflects a sustained level of anticipation among coaches and analysts who have watched the team capture 16 of the last 18 poll titles and 20 championships since 2004.
A historic streak continues
Johns Hopkins’ latest poll victory adds to a remarkable record of league dominance. Since 2002 the program has amassed 17 Centennial Conference titles, including a run of ten straight championships from 2009 through 2018. The team’s 12‑2 record from the 2025 season, which carried the Blue Jays to the NCAA semifinals, further illustrates the program’s ability to translate preseason expectations into on‑field success.
Behind the Blue Jays, Carnegie Mellon secured second place with 40 points, marking its first year of conference football participation, while Franklin & Marshall followed in third with 38 points and two first‑place votes. Both programs are relatively new to the Centennial slate, making their high preseason rankings a notable shift in the conference landscape.
The preseason poll also highlighted the depth of competition within the league, with Muhlenberg and Ursinus rounding out the top five with 36 and 24 points respectively. The full list of vote‑receivers reflects a tightly contested race that promises several matchups with playoff implications once the season gets underway.
The season will officially begin on September 5 at 12 p.m. when Johns Hopkins hosts Ithaca at Homewood Field. The opening game will serve as the first test of the Blue Jays’ preparations after a productive offseason and will set the tone for a schedule that includes several conference rivals vying for the coveted Centennial title.