ELLENSBURG -- To the surprise of no one, Central Washington has been picked to win the GNAC football championship by a unanimous preseason vote of the conference's coaches.

The Wildcats, 10-3 and a Division II playoff quarterfinalist last year, include preseason All-Americans Mike Reilly (quarterback), Johnny Spevak (wide receiver) and Jared Bronson (tight end) among 13 returning starters for first-year coach Blaine Bennett.

CWU received all five first-place votes while Western Oregon and Western Washington were picked to finish second and third, respectively. New conference member Dixie State of St. George, Utah, and Humboldt State, under longtime Western Washington mentor Rob Smith, have been tabbed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Central opens its season Aug. 30 at Dixie State and will debut at home on Sept. 6 in a non-conference game against Mesa State of Grand Junction, Colo.