`Jacks Hold First Spring Scrimmage
2/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 26, 2006
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team held its first of three spring scrimmages Sunday afternoon at Homer Bryce Stadium. The scrimmage pitted the No. 1 offense versus the No. 1 defense and the No. 2 offense against the No. 2 defense.
"We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish this afternoon. We wanted to get in 100 plays and we finished with 101," said SFA head coach Robert McFarland. "We had some good and bad on both sides of the ball. We ran a very base defense this afternoon just throwing a couple of fronts and a couple coverages at the offense. We didn't run any of our blitz packages today. The offensive line has struggled at times, but I have been very pleased with their progression. I'm also very pleased with our skill players. The good thing is we still have 10 practices left, and right now we're looking to get better with each of them."
The offense didn't take long to get on the scoreboard, showcasing the talents of 2005 All-SLC running back Louie Runnels. Runnels carried the ball six times for 48 yards on the first drive, including runs of 16 and 15 yards. He eventually punched the ball across the goal line from a yard out for the unit's first score. Runnels finished the game with 15 carries for 75 yards and a score.
Runnels wasn't the `Jacks' lone running back turning heads Sunday. Vincent Pervis carried the ball 11 times for 112 yards, including runs of 11, 16 and 45 yards. Freshman Lester Simmons carried the ball six times for 91 yards, including a 70-yard scamper for a touchdown. Fullback Michael Motte carried the ball only once but he made it count with a 10-yard run for a touchdown. He also caught four passes for 81 yards and a score.
Bug Aymond and Cory Barlow led the `Jacks' defensive unit with eight tackles. Aymond also deflected one pass. Freshman Brian Ford recorded six tackles, but led the defense with three sacks. Transfer Ryan Mengo was also credited with a sack. The defensive unit also forced two fumbles on the afternoon.
Sophomore quarterback Danny Southall completed 17-of-29 (.580) passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. He also led the offense to two other scores. Southall carried the ball twice for 14 yards. Redshirt freshman Clint Bricker was 11-for-15 (.733) for 56 yards and one touchdown. Bricker finished the game completing eight of his last 10 passes.
The Lumberjack place kickers were perfect on PATs, connecting on all six attempts. Sophomore Cory Long also connected on his only field goal attempt of the day from 33 yards out.
The Lumberjacks return to practice Monday with a 3:30 workout. The team's next scrimmage is scheduled for Friday March 3 at 7 p.m. in Homer Bryce Stadium.
-SFA-
