'Jacks Set to Open Spring Camp
3/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 31, 2009
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -
2009 Schedule
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team will begin making preparations for the 2009 season when it opens spring practice Saturday morning. The Lumberjacks will take to the field with a 7:45 a.m. workout, and it will be the first of 15 scheduled workouts.
SFA will also hold two scrimmages during spring camp. The first planned scrimmage is scheduled for Friday, April 17th and the final scrimmage will take place the following Saturday, April 25th. Both scrimmages are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Despite the overwhelming youth on the team, the Lumberjacks recorded a four-game turnaround during the 2008 season. Behind new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, the Lumberjacks saw increased production in scoring offense and total offense. The 'Jacks averaged nearly 20 points more per game in 2008, and recorded 86 yards of total offense more per game in 2008.
Despite the loss of only six seniors, the Lumberjacks will have some holes to fill in 2009. Receiver Dominique Edison closed out his career as not only one of the best wide outs in school history, but one of the tops in the nation in 2008. Along with Edison, Tyrell Williams has exhausted his eligibility. Despite the loss of the two wide outs, SFA should have plenty of depth in its stables to produce big numbers next season.
SFA returns Contrevious Parks, Aaron Rhea and 2008 SLC Newcomer of the Year Duane Brooks at receiver. After bouncing around between offense and defense as a sophomore, Parks had a breakout season in 2008. Parks hauled 49 passes for 591 yards and six touchdowns this past season and earned Sports Network Honorable Mention All-America honors. Rhea comes into the season with 83 career receptions for 1002 yards, and eight touchdowns. Brooks may have been the league's most explosive player. He led the team with 68 receptions, despite missing two games with an injury. Brooks finished the year with 68 catches for 863 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned nine kicks for 155 yards, and 17 punts for 146 yards.
The Lumberjack defense will be anchored by the return of senior defensive end Tim Knicky and junior linebacker Jabara Williams. The heart-and-soul of the SFA defense, Knicky turned in one of the better seasons in school history last season. Knicky was sixth on the team with 74 tackles, and finished the regular-season among the nation's leaders in sacks (5th nationally) and tackles for loss (9th nationally). Williams became an explosive player under new defensive coordinator David Gibbs. Williams finished the season with 132 total tackles, leading the Southland Conference averaging 11.0 tackles per game. Both Knicky and Williams garnered first-team All-SLC honors in 2008.
The Lumberjacks kick off the 2009 season Saturday, Sept. 5, at SMU. The game time has not yet been scheduled.
-SFA-
