Eight 'Jacks Earn Preseason All-SLC Honors
7/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 16, 2009
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Less than 24 hours after landing two players on the 2009 Phil Steele's Preseason FCS All-America team, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks placed eight players on the preseason all-conference team announced publication officials Thursday morning. Among the eight honorees five earned first-team honors which was the second most of all league schools.
After receiving an All-America nod Wednesday afternoon, it was no surprise to see senior defensive end Tim Knicky and junior linebacker Jabara Williams see their names listed among the first-team honorees. Both players had huge seasons in the purple and white uniform in 2008.
Following a rookie season that saw him split time between the offense and defensive sides of the ball, Williams found a home at linebacker and led the league with 132 tackles. He was also among the nation's top 10 averaging 11 tackles per game.
A three-time All-SLC selection, Knicky finished the season sixth on the team with 76 tackles, and was among the nation's top 10 in sacks (12) and tackles for losses (20.5). Along with Williams, Knicky wrapped up the 2008 season with first-team All-SLC honors.
Joining Knicky and Williams on the first team were senior receiver Duane Brooks and offensive linemen Karl Glimp and Max Holmes. Brooks, who transferred to SFA from Central Michigan prior to the 2008 season, had a huge impact during his first year. Brooks set a single-season school record with 68 receptions despite missing two games due to injury. He finished the year with 863 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Two of the top offensive linemen in the SLC, Glimp and Holmes will anchor the 'Jacks' offensive front in 2009. A 2008 honorable mention All-SLC pick, Glimp has started every game of his Lumberjack career, and has not allowed a sack in his last 23 games.
Holmes transferred to SFA from LSU prior to the 2008 season and had a huge impact on the 'Jacks' offensive line. He started all 12 games during his junior campaign, averaging six pancake blocks per contest.
The Lumberjacks placed three athletes on the second team, which includes junior quarterback Jeremy Moses, senior receiver Contrevious Parks and sophomore linebacker Derrick Choice.
Moses finished a record-setting 2008 campaign by completing 352-of-598 (.589) passes for 4,026 yards and 41 touchdowns. He led the NCAA Division I FCS level in touchdown passes, total passing yards, and points responsible for, and finished second in the nation (both FCS and FBS) in touchdowns. Along the way Moses set NCAA single-game records for pass completions and attempts, and Southland Conference records for single-season touchdown passes, pass attempts and completions.
One of Moses favorite targets was Parks who finished the season with 49 catches for 591 yards and six touchdowns. Parks' breakout season garnered him national attention as he finished the year earning Sports Network Honorable Mention All-America recognition.
Choice was one of the top freshmen in the SLC last season. Earning a starting role in the season opener, Choice went on to start all 12 games finishing the year second on the team, and fifth in the league with 98 total tackles. He was also second on the squad, and seventh in the conference averaging 10.5 tackles for losses.
The Lumberjacks are slated to kick off the 2009 season Saturday, Sept. 5, at SMU. The game against the Mustangs is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
-SFA-
