Langston cracked the Top 25 as the preseason version of the NAIA Coaches’ Poll was released Monday afternoon.
The Lions, who finished 2012 at 6-4 and won the CSFL title, came in at No. 23. It is the first time in the rankings for Langston since the preseason poll in 2012.
Langston earned 34 points from the 13 voters in the poll.
Bacone also received votes in the preseason tally. The Warriors grabbed 16 points, which would have been enough to be tied for 27th in the poll.
The regular season for both schools gets underway Aug. 31.
Last year’s national runner-up Morningside (Iowa) topped the ranking.