A Look at the Lumberjack Backfield
8/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 18, 2006
NACOGDOCHES - One of the bright spots on the Lumberjack football team heading into 2006 will be its stable of running backs. The Lumberjack backfield is so loaded that SFA head coach Robert McFarland was comfortable switching 2005 season-opening starter, Damian Perkins, to the defensive side of the ball. Even with Perkins making the switch from ball carrier to stopping the ball carrier, the 'Jacks return four of their top five ground gainers from last year.
"Of all the positions, running back is the deepest on this football team," said McFarland. "I feel comfortable with all four running backs. We've got four backs, who each have a little bit different style. One thing I think they all bring is talent with the ball in their hands. We're excited about the prospects at running back and looking forward to a big year from them, which is what we need."
At the front of the pack is 6-0, 240-pound junior Louie Runnels who finished fifth in the Southland Conference averaging 70.8 yards per game as a sophomore. He also averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns, numbers that helped him earn second-team All-Southland Conference honors a year ago. Keep in mind, Runnels did the bulk of his damage toward the latter stages of the season, starting the final three games of the year.
Runnels is a bulldozer of a back who would just as soon run over an opposing tackler as run by him and, with his size, who can blame him? He has big-game potential as evidenced by his 149 rushing yards he posted against NCAA Division I-AA semifinalist Texas State a year ago.
A ton of hype has been centered around Runnels during the offseason, earning 2006 Preseason First-Team All-SLC recognition. Add to that the fact that Runnels shed 17 pounds since last year's season finale and has entered fall camp in the best shape of his career. It has shown in fall camp as well. Runnels has made a habit of shedding would-be tackler after would-be tackler for some very healthy gains.
If Runnels can be likened to the thunder of the Lumberjacks' group of running backs then sophomore Lester Simmons would be considered the lightning. Standing only 5-8, Simmons isn't the easiest guy to spot on the field, and if defenses don't spot him when he breaks the huddle, they may not get another chance. Taking into consideration he's one of the fastest guys on the team, combined with an elusive ability to make tacklers miss, makes him a dangerous weapon on offense for Coach McFarland. Simmons recorded only seven carries during his redshirt freshman year, but had such a solid spring that he wound up taking snaps with the No. 1 offense.
"Everyone took note of how well Lester Simmons ran this spring," said McFarland. "Even though he is not big in stature, he runs big with the ball."
Opponents can't afford to forget about senior Jerome Brooks, who battled through an injury-plagued 2005 campaign, but still finished third on team with 281 yards on the season. Brooks transferred to SFA last season from Purdue where he earned newcomer of the year honors as a rookie and was named to the Freshman All-Big 10 team. With Brooks entering his final season of eligibility there will be a sence of urgency from the Haltom City native. Brooks also provides SFA with another weapon as a kickoff returner, averaging 19 yards per return last season.
"Obviously, it's great to see Jerome Brooks back and healthy," said McFarland. "He had a great summer and has been strong during the fall, so we're looking for a big year out of him."
Coming in completely under the radar is 5-10, 182-pound redshirt freshman Vincent Pervis. An extremely quick back who is not afraid to take hit, Pervis really turned some heads on the Lumberjack coaching staff last season. Pervis continued to impress during spring ball and returned to preseason camp with the same kind of attitude and work ethic.
"Pervis is a young man we planned on playing last year, but we had to redshirt him when he got injured in camp," said McFarland. "He is healthy now and is just an exciting runner with a lot of talent and speed."
With so much talent in the backfield, the Lumberjack coaching staff may have some problems making sure they can spread the wealth evenly. Fans can rest assured that it's a problem that any other coach in the conference would love to face.
-SFA-
