Stephen F. Austin
Northwestern State
Lumberjacks Thump Northwestern State
11/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2006
NACOGDOCHES - Senior Jerome Brooks carried the ball 22 times for 124 yards as the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team finished its 2006 campaign on a positive note defeating Northwestern State, 20-11, Thursday night at Homer Bryce Stadium. The 'Jacks conclude the season 4-7 overall and 4-2 in Southland Conference play. The victory keeps the Lumberjacks' hopes of winning a share of the Southland Conference title alive.
The Lumberjacks completely dominated Northwestern State on both sides of the ball in the first half, and rode that momentum to victory. SFA racked up 301 yards of total offense, including 171 rushing yards, as it jumped out to a 20-point first half lead. The Lumberjacks also dominated the time of possession by more than nine minutes in the first two quarters.
The 'Jacks led by three points early in the second quarter when junior quarterback Danny Southall led the team on an eight-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Edison. Less than four minutes later Southall had the offense on the march again. Southall scored the team's second touchdown on an 11-yard scamper with 6:36 remaining in the half. SFA tacked on another Cory Long field goal to go into the locker room up 20-0.
While the offense was running like a well-oiled machine, the SFA defense was suffocating the Demon offense. The 'Jacks allowed their visitors only 49 total yards of offense, including only six through the air. The defense was led by junior Bug Aymond who finished the game with a career-high 15 tackles and one sack. Southland Conference leading tackler Damian Perkins added eight tackles, including two for losses, a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a big interception which thwarted a Demon drive.
The Demons finished the game with 212 yards of total offense, but that came primarily through the air in the second half when they were down by 20 points. SFA also forced Northwestern State into three turnovers on the night.
Southall closed out his junior season completing 10-of-22 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. He also carried the ball 10 times for 46 yards and a score. Junior running back Louie Runnels added 76 yards on 11 carries as SFA rushed for 246 yards as a team. Sophomore Dominique Edison was Southall's favorite target through the air hauling in four passes for 71 yards.
The 'Jacks remain alive for a shot at the Southland Conference title but they will need some help Saturday. SFA will need for McNeese State to lose to Nicholls State and Sam Houston State to lose to Texas State. Both McNeese State and Sam Houston State will be playing in front of their home crowds.
-SFA-
