FOREST, Va. - The Bridgewater College football team was selected fifth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's Preseason Poll released on Tuesday.

Defending champion Randolph-Macon also took the unanimous top spot with all seven possible first-place votes. The Yellow Jackets' first-place vote went to Hampden-Sydney, as the Tigers and Washington and Lee tied for second with 38 points. Shenandoah (33 pts.) came just ahead of BC (23 pts.) and Roanoke (23 pts.), who tied for the fifth spot. Guilford (12 pts.) and Averett (8 pts.) rounded out the eight-team coach-voted poll to preview the season.

Bridgewater comes into 2026 with new influences and strong leaders returning on all sides of the ball. Offensively, Brandon Anderson returns as BC's highest-producing wide receiver from a season ago, while the backfield is led by experienced tailbacks Tommy Nelson, Bradyn Horacek and Wyatt Jervis. The Eagles' offense will be under the direction of new assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Kevin Saxton for 2026 as he brings in knowledge as a player and coach in the ODAC, while also serving as an assistant coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Defensively, defensive coordinator Peyton Allen's "darkside" brings back experience from last season. Jamri Lewis and Kyle Galloway anchor the Eagle secondary, while Oscar Whitely returns to lead the BC linebacking core. The special teams unit for the Eagles brings back plenty of experience as well, with All-ODAC and All-State First Team selection Aiden Grefe returning along with third-year long snapper Joe Flynn and kicker Ben Bermudez from a season ago. 

Bridgewater opens the season on Friday, Sept. 4 at Stevenson under the lights at 7 p.m.