BOONE, N.C. — Entering the most crucial week of competition to date, the team captained by senior running back Marcus Cox holds a razor-thin lead over the team led by senior tight end Barrett Burns in Appalachian State University football's Battle for the Belt.

The Battle for the Belt is an intrasquad competition pitting eight teams against each other. Points are awarded for student-athletes' achievements in the offseason strength and conditioning program, performance in the classroom, service to the community and all-around character.

Appalachian State's coaching staff selected eight team captains, who each picked co-captains to help them lead their respective teams.  

After six weeks of competition, Cox's team has moved back atop the standings with 3,658 total points, a mere seven points ahead of Burns' squad (3,651 pts.). They are followed by the teams captained by Nate Norwood (3,392 pts.), Parker Collins (3,382 pts.), Taylor Lamb (3.135 pts.), Alex Gray (3,042 pts.), John Law (2,949 pts.) and Devan Stringer (2,745 pts.).

However, much can change this week. A plethora of points are at stake with the team scheduled to max out on lifts through next Monday. 

The full Battle for the Belt teams (captains in bold, co-captains in italics):

John Law	Nate Norwood	Marcus Cox	Devan Stringer
Kennan Gilchrist	Eric Boggs	A.J. Howard	Bentlee Critcher
Brad Absher	Jaylan Barbour	J.P. Caruso	Levi Annas
Clifton Duck	Levi Duffield	Akeem Davis	Nikia Cathey
Curtis Fitch	Anthony Flory	Teh'Ron Fuller	Edward Davis
Tae Hayes	Aidan Nesvisky	Mykel Golden	Isaac Edwards
Devin Papenheim	Darian Small	Colt Johnson	Caleb Fuller
Colin Reed	Zeb Speir	Elias McMurry	Dante Jones
Alex Taylor	Rashaad Townes	Ryan Miller	Madison Malone
	Mondo Williams	Antonious Sims	Josh Thomas
Parker Collins	Taylor Lamb	Barrett Burns	Alex Gray
Colby Gossett	Latrell Gibbs	Jaquil Capel	Beau Nunn
Brody Barrett	Mykelti Armstrong	Mock Adams	Josh Boyd
Tobias Edge-Campbell	Bill Cecil	Jake Easter	Noel Cook
Aris Duffey	Desmond Franklin	Austin Exford	Tyson Fernandez
Chandler Greer	Okon Godwin	Deltron Hopkins	Josh Filbey
Victor Johnson	Shaedon Meadors	Jalin Moore	Zy Letman
Brandon Pinckney	Michael Rubino	Dezmin Reed	Hunter Nunn
	Toronto Thomas	Myquon Stout	Justin Wilson
	Terrence Upshaw

Season tickets are on sale now for Appalachian State's six-game home slate in 2016. Purchasing season tickets is the only way to guarantee a seat for the most highly anticipated dates at The Rock, highlighted by the Mountaineers' Sept. 17 matchup versus five-time national champion Miami (Fla.). To purchase season tickets, click HERE, call (828) 262-2079 or visit the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center.  Hurry and purchase your 2016 App State season tickets today!