SEMIPRO GAME DAY PRESEASON RANKINGS

CFML Power Poll 2026 Preseason Edition

Written by Coach C – SemiPro GameDay

After a long offseason, WE ARE BACK!!! A lot of ups and downs for our favorite squads, but here we are on the brink of the season as the Arkansas Warcats prepare to take on the Arkansas Kings in non-conference action. I have a feeling one of our unranked squads will make some noise this season, but here is the Official Top 10 and projected order of finish.
1. Oklahoma Bears 
The blueprint that the majority of the league followed in terms of recruiting, The Bears are still loaded and ready to repeat. Until someone knocks them off, they are still the team to beat. This is still Head Coach Kevin Cox’s league until then. Will The Gold Standard repeat or will that showing in the USA Bowl be a sign of things to come?
2. Kansas City Panthers 
1/2
The Black Kats are loading up, and talent-wise, Team 30 of the KC Panthers is possibly their most talented team ever. Everything is set as they prepare to trump the curse of the CMFL runner-up in 2026. Will The Black Kats overcome The Curse or is a let down season on the horizon?
3. Tulsa Gators
1/2
The Gators have added on to what was already a talented team. The addition of OC Gary Joice is much bigger than some think. Expect a much more physical version of the Swamp Boyz this season. But can they finally beat Big Brother this season?
4. Joplin Crusaders
The Cru is back and will have some firepower to go with that vaunted defense. The Crusaders offense has a track team amongst the skill positions and a healthy and motivated Charles West is huge for this season. Now the major question is, is QB Aason Cross ready for the spotlight on this nationally ranked team?
5. St Joe Bucks
Head Coach David Hershberger has called in the reinforcements and secured plenty of elite talent this offseason. Now, without last year’s gauntlet in front of them, the Bucks could make big noise in 2026. Will The Program Killas live up to the Hype or will they find the same type of issues in The Gateway as they did in The Great Plains?
6. St Louis Falcons
The Falcons come into 2026 with possibly the best secondary, a loaded backfield, and an extremely talented QB. Every year they have taken a step closer. Will this be the year they kick down the door and win the Gateway? The trend says that they will! The Key for the Falcons is can they beat one of the Elite when the pressure is on?
7. Missouri Cyclones
1/2
The Clones started out 2024 at this same number and made a run to the CMFL Championship Game. And all of the ingredients are here for that to happen again. Watch for a reloaded Cyclones team with the Grown Man Defense to finish much higher than this to start out. With a favorable schedule and everything in place, a return to the Championship Game could very well happen again. The big question here is, do the Clones have the depth if the injury bug strikes again?
8. Kansas City Bulldogs
1/2
The Bulldogs come into 2026 with a monkey off their back by winning their fall league. Now, with that champion DNA, QB Marc Hernandez and that high-flying offense will bury teams on the scoreboard. Now, will their defense be able to hold up against the upper echelon of the league? And with rumors of Longtime veteran Defensive Coordinator Lee Howard returning, the Bulldogs are a very legit threat to take the Gateway.
9. ECMO Eagles
1/2
Now this may be the best group the Eagles have put together in years, and it seems that they have added much-needed pieces to that defense. The big question is, will the defense be consistent enough to help that offense that can score with the best of them? With the addition of the Bulldogs and Bucks, getting back into the playoffs may be tough in 2026.
10. Wichita Skyhawks
This is the team no one will want to play in 2026. The Skyhawks have reloaded and are healthy. That loaded defense will avenge those losses from last season. I repeat… this is the team no one wants to play. Someone will find out soon. Now was last year a small hiccup type of season or a sign of the times going forward?
Final Whistle

This is setting up to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. All the teams are locked and loaded and we are sure to see fireworks! Who will raise the 13th CFML Championship Trophy? We shall see!!!