SFA Hits the Field

[TexasTerror]

Figured I'd get a thread going for SFA practice reports and other news-related tidbits coming out of camp in Nacogdoches. Best of luck to the Jacks first year head coach JC Harper. SFA should have a good team this year, but the battlefield that is the SLC will be tough for the Jacks...

SFA Football Hits the Turf

Lumberjacks don practice jerseys and helmets in first spring workout

Feb. 18, 2007

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team made its first official preparations for the 2007 season Sunday with a workout out at Homer Bryce Stadium. The workout, which is the first of 15 practice dates, kicks off the 2007 spring camp.

"In our first few practices, we will be working on developing a rhythm offensively," said head coach J.C. Harper. "Defensively, we are looking to continue the continuity from the fall. We are also looking to find some guys to fill in certain roles on the team."

SFA will hold its first spring scrimmage Friday, March 2, at Homer Bryce Stadium. The scrimmage is set to kick off at 7 p.m. The 'Jacks will close out spring camp Thursday, Mar. 22, with its annual spring game. The game is slated to begin at 6 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium.

http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021807aaa.html

[TexasTerror]

Day three in the books...

Lumberjacks Finish Third Day of Practice

Warmer weather brings heated intensity on the field

Feb. 21, 2007

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team returned to the gridiron Wednesday afternoon, after taking Tuesday off. The weather was noticeably warmer, and with the temperature increase came an increase in intensity. SFA strapped on the helmet and pads and kicked off the practice with a 1st-n-goal drill that pit three offensive linemen against three defensive linemen. Junior Lester Simmons led SFA's running backs as they punched the ball across the goal line on numerous occasions, but the defense came up with its share of goal-line stands.

"It was a good start to the practice," said SFA head coach J.C. Harper. "I thought the guys came out and competed hard today. The offense fought hard and the defense scratched and clawed for every inch. I'm proud of the enthusiasm and effort on the team. They'll get tomorrow off before coming out here on Friday to do it all over again. This is a fun group of guys to work with."

Despite not hitting the practice field, the 'Jacks started a new tradition Tuesday in the field house. The Lumberjacks gathered to celebrate all the February birthdays on the team. Eight current Lumberjacks will celebrate a February birthday. The list includes Brian Ford, Rodney Freeman, Bug Aymond, Contrevious Parks, secondary coach Matt Graves, Lloyd Ligons, Michael Davis and D.J. Smalls. The team will gather once a month to celebrate birthdays.

SFA also started another tradition at Wednesday's practice with the Practice Player of the Day award. The first award will be handed out Friday based on today's practice.

The Lumberjacks return to the practice field Friday. Team meetings will begin at 2:15 p.m., with the 'Jacks taking the field at 3:15 p.m. Practices are free and open to the public.

http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/022107aaa.html

[TexasTerror]

From the Ask the AD...

Dave-Houston: Why is Spring Football starting earlier each year ? Now they are starting in the middle of Feb.

SFA Athletics Director Robert Hill: We are doing it for two reasons. First, by completing spring football at the end of March our athletes will have the month of April to concentrate on academics prior to final exams. Second, it gives our coaching staff the ability to do their spring evaluations of high school juniors without spring football getting in the way.

http://sfajacks.cstv.com/chat/082505aaa.html

[TexasTerror]

From the student paper at SFA...apparently beating SHSU is a big deal to SFA. They haven't shown it recently! Take away a fluke 53 yard FG as time expired by a kicker who couldn't nail from 25 in during the same game and the Kats have really dominated the series in recent memory, good year or otherwise...

Harper said the team's main focus is a conference championship. Therefore, all of the games next season are equally important.

However, Harper said a focus this spring for the Lumberjacks is beating Sam Houston State University and Northwestern State University, SFA's rival for Chief Caddo.

"Beating Sam is always important at SFA," Harper said. "And it would be nice to see The Chief stay here."

http://www.thepinelog.com/media/storage/paper954/news/2007/02/22/Sports/Lumberjack.Football.Began.Spring.Practices.Monday-2735038.shtml

[TexasTerror]

No doubt that Southall is a stud. We'll see what he does in the SLC this year...

White Rallies to Defeat Purple
Quarterback Danny Southall leads white to 41 unanswered points

March 2, 2007

NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team held its second scrimmage of the spring Friday night at Homer Bryce Stadium. The scrimmage had the 'Jacks' first-team players (white team) face-off against the rest of the team. The purple team was spotted a 21-0 lead, and tacked on two touchdowns, before the white squad rallied for a 41-35 victory.

The purple squad stole the momentum early picking off senior quarterback Danny Southall's second pass of the game. In fact, the purple squad shut down the white team on its first two drives. But Southall, and the rest of the white squad, would have the last laugh on this night.

Southall completed 18-of-30 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns, and was only picked off the one time. Southall seemed to warm up as the night got cooler. After coming up empty on his first five attempts, Southall completed his next six passes. Southall completed touchdown passes of 28, 41 and 70 yards. Senior Tyrell Williams hauled in the 70-yard TD reception, and looked strong breaking four tackles on his way to paydirt.

http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/030207aaa.html