`Jacks Sharp In Friday Scrimmage
4/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 8, 2005
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- There were big plays on both sides of the ball Friday night in a 100-play scrimmage for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team. A scoring system rewarding scoring plays and big plays for both the offense and defense was utilized with the defense capturing a 61-60 win.
Senior quarterback Zeke Dixon had another big night as he completed 25 of 34 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once. Dixon connected on a 17-yard scoring pass to fullback Pete Hamilton for the first score of the night and later added a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Williams. Dixon closed the night with a one yard scoring pass to sophomore Chance Dennis. The final score was set up after Dixon connected with Williams to convert on fourth and 18 to the one yard line.
Williams had six catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns including a 62-yard scoring play from Danny Southall. Chance Dennis, the 2003 Freshman of the Year in the Southland Conference ended the night with eight catches for 119 yards and one touchdown. Carl Price had five catches for 50 yards.
Southall finished the night completing eight of 17 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown, while Rodney Freeman was 2-3 for four yards and Dallas Santiago was 1-2 for minus 2 yards and a pick.
Lester Simmons led SFA on the ground with 42 yards on six carries and scored on a 31-yard run. Gary Allen added 33 yards on seven carries and Louie Runnels added 21 yards on five attempts.
Lumberjack head coach Robert McFarland said afterward he was pleased with where his team is at this point during spring practice. "I see us getting better every practice. We're getting better as coaches and as players at this point - we just have to continue to improve through the final week of spring workouts," said McFarland.
"I thought tonight's scrimmage was a lot like the first one in that there were a number of three and out stops by the defense and then the offense came right back with some explosive plays to put points on the board. Zeke Dixon made some great plays for us out there and I thought he had a good night."
The defensive unit was credited with nine sacks on the night and also picked off two passes. Linebacker Erik Wilson stood out defensively making a number of big plays for the 'Jacks. The offense managed only 102 yards rushing on 34 attempts on the night.
Defensive backs Josh Henry and Carlous Anders were credited with picks for the Lumberjack defense.
"Overall, I'm very pleased with where we are heading into the final week of spring practice. The offense seems to picking things up a little better at this point. We've still got a little more to put in offensively, and we hope to get that done this week.
The Lumberjacks close out spring practice with the annual Purple and White game Friday night at 6:00 p.m. TM
