Livingstone Ranked 6th in CIAA Preseason Poll; Zapata Named to Preseason All-CIAA Team

7/15/2026 4:32:00 PM

DURHAM, N.C. – Livingstone College was selected to finish sixth in the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Football Preseason Poll, which was announced during the CIAA Football Media Day held July 14-15 in Durham.

Representing the Blue Bears at the annual event were Head Coach Sean Gilbert, Associate Head Coach Mark Williams, and standout student-athletes Brandon "Manny" Moss and Davyn Reid.
Virginia Union was voted as the preseason favorite, followed by Johnson C. Smith, which turned heads last season with its victory over two-time defending CIAA champion Virginia Union. Livingstone was picked to finish sixth among the conference's 11 football programs.

Despite the preseason projection, Head Coach Sean Gilbert expressed confidence in his team's ability to exceed expectations.

"Respect isn't given because of where you're ranked—it's earned every Saturday," said Gilbert. "Our focus has always been on earning that respect. This team has put in the work, embraced the challenge, and believes in what we're building at Livingstone. We're excited for the opportunity to compete and prove who we are on the field."

Senior placekicker Jason Zapata earned a spot on the 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Team following an outstanding 2025 campaign. Last season, Zapata recorded: