A Look at the 2007 Lumberjack Offense
8/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 7, 2007
NACOGDOCHES - There is a ton of excitement surrounding the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football program, and expectations are high entering the 2007 season. But to the untrained eye of the casual observer, the numbers may not add up ... well that's because the casual observer is looking at the wrong numbers.
The skeptics may say that SFA is coming off a 4-7 (.363) year, faced an offseason where it had to replace head coach Robert McFarland, as well as replacing four starters in the secondary, including two-time All-American safety Keldrick Holman, and has seen back-to-back sub-.500 records.
To the skeptic, I say, "Take a closer look at the numbers." The Lumberjacks went 4-2 (.667) in Southland Conference play finishing tied for second in the league in 2006. The 'Jacks' two league losses were by a total of only seven points. Coach McFarland did leave, but in his place stepped defensive coordinator J.C. Harper who kept the heart of the coaching staff in place - team continuity intact. And yes, SFA must go about the business of replacing its secondary and tight ends, but SFA returns the heart of its athletes at every other position, including first-team All-SLC quarterback Danny Southall and first-team all-league running back Louie Runnels. One other thing, of the 'Jacks seven setbacks in '06, five were by eight points or less, and four were by four points or less. As for the stat about back-to-back losing records, just take a look at the 'Jacks' depth chart during the past two seasons and you will see an alarming number of redshirt freshmen, true freshmen and sophomores. Oh, by the way, those freshmen and sophomores are now savvy veterans.
Below is a brief look at the 2007 Lumberjack offense:
The Lumberjack offense will be led by 6-3, 214-pound quarterback Danny Southall who is coming off a breakout season. After patiently waiting for three years for his turn as the starter, Southall lived up to expectations earning first-team All-SLC honors and receiving All-America consideration as a junior. Southall led the conference averaging 170.6 yards passing and 208.6 yards of total offense per game last season. He was also a threat to run with the ball, recording 109 carries for 418 yards and six touchdowns.
Southall should be set up to have an even better 2007 campaign as most of his weapons, including the whole offensive line, return from last year. SFA returns a stable of talented receivers led by 2006 honorable mention all-conference wide out Dominique Edison. The San Augustine native returns from a sophomore season that saw him finish among the league leaders in receptions and receiving yards per game. Edison also hauled in five touchdown receptions last year and is on pace to graduate as one of the school's all-time best receivers.
While Edison provides the SFA offense with a deep threat, senior Nick Rhodes is a sure-handed receiver who really came on during the latter stages of the '06 season. Rhodes, a 6-1, 195 athlete from Brownswood, Texas, caught 26 passes for 296 yards and averaged 11.4 yards per reception.
Along with Edison and Rhodes, Southall also hopes to see sophomores Aaron Rhea and Contrevious Parks running open deep into the opponent secondary. Rhea is a strong receiver who showed a lot of potential during his rookie season, while Parks is a lightning quick receiver who can also be utilized as a kick returner. If Parks steps up in 2007, he could provide SFA with a scary one-two punch alongside Edison.
Southall will be joined in the backfield with co-first-team All-SLC running back Louie Runnels and second-team All-SLC fullback Leonard Lynce. Runnels is coming off a junior campaign that saw him finish fifth in the league, averaging 64.5 yards per carry, and rush for six touchdowns.
Lynce paid huge dividends for SFA filling in for first-team all-conference fullback, Michael Motte who was lost for the season due to an offseason injury. Lynce didn't miss a beat filling in for the injured veteran, earning second-team all-league honors. Let's not forget that the position will be even stronger with the return of Motte this season.
Although Runnels is a punishing runner with the ability to turn a tiny gap into a gaping whole, he will be aided by the return of every starter on the offensive line, including all-conference selections Brock Pasteur and Taylor Cobb. Along with the dynamic duo up front, SFA also welcomes back seniors Scott Dover and Mike Davis to the offensive line. Dover was an offensive starter two seasons ago before being switched to the defensive line last season. After starting all 11 games at defensive tackle, Dover is slated as a starter at right tackle. Davis, on the otherhand, earned a starting role last year after transferring from the junior college ranks, but his season was cut short by an injury in the fifth game of the year. After a full year to rehabilitate the injury, Davis is ready for his final season in the SFA purple and white jersey.
