The Heritage Conference and WestPAC held their joint football media day at Windber Stadium on Friday, and Homer-Center drew the favor of the Heritage Coaches to win the conference in 2022 in the annual 2022 Renda Media Heritage Conference Preseason Football Coaches Poll, presented by First Commonwealth Bank.
The Wildcats received six first-place votes from among the 10 head coaches or assistant coaches in attendance. Only Cambria Heights, beginning its second year in the conference, came close with three first-place votes and finished second in the polling. The Highlanders received five second-place votes to second the No. 2 spot. Cambria Heights joined the conference last season, finished first in the polling, then went on to win the conference.
A distance third place went to the River Valley Panthers, who garnered one first-place vote and five third-place votes. Conference newcomer Portage placed fourth in the polling.
Here are the complete poll results:
1. Homer-Center (6 1st place votes)
2. Cambria Heights (3 1st place votes)
3. River Valley (1 1st place vote)
4. Portage
5. Penns Manor
6. West Shamokin
7. Northern Cambria
8. Purchase Line
9. Marion Center
10. United Valley*
*The consolidation of the United and Blacklick Valley football programs
