'Jacks Picked Among League's Upper Echelon
7/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 24, 2007
HOUSTON, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team has been picked to finish second in the Southland Conference according to a preseason poll of league head coaches Tuesday morning at the SLC Kickoff Celebration. The league sports information directors have picked the 'Jacks to finish third in the upcoming season.
Defending champion McNeese State was picked to defend its title in both polls. The Cowboys received six first-place votes and 48 points in the coaches' poll, while garnering five first-place votes and 47 points in the SID poll. The Lumberjacks received two first-place votes and 42 points to finish second in the coaches' poll. SFA received 32 points in the SID poll to finish behind McNeese State and Sam Houston State. The Bearkats received the remainder of the first-place votes in the SID poll and were picked second overall with 43 points.
The Lumberjacks return the heart of their roster from the 2006 squad that went 4-2 in SLC play, and finished the season tied for second. Among the team's returning starters, include six first- or second-team All-SLC selections from a year ago.
The Lumberjacks kick off the 2007 season Saturday, Sept 1, when they host Tarleton State. The game against the Texans will be one of only five home games on the 2007 slate.
-SFA-
2007 SLC Preseason Polls July 24, 2007Head Coaches' Poll Sports Information Directors' Poll Team (1st-Place Votes) Pts. Team (1st-Place Votes) Pts. 1. McNeese State (6) 48 1. McNeese State (5) 47 2. Stephen F. Austin (2) 42 2. Sam Houston State (3) 43 3. Sam Houston State 36 3. Stephen F. Austin 32 4. Northwestern State 31 4. Texas State 27 5. Texas State 27 5. Northwestern State 24 6. Nicholls State 20 6. Central Arkansas 23 7. Central Arkansas 10 7. Nicholls State 19 SE Louisiana 10 8. SE Louisiana 9
