'Jacks Place Four on Preseason All-SLC Teams
7/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 29, 2009
LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team placed four athletes on the 2009 Preseason All-Southland Conference teams announced league officials Wednesday morning. Seniors Duane Brooks and Tim Knicky, and junior Jabara Williams headline the group earning first-team honors, while senior Contrevious Parks is a second-team selection.
A 2008 AP Third-Team All-America selection, Knicky became one of the nation's more dominating players as a junior. Knicky led the conference, and finished fifth in nation with 12 sacks, and also led the league and finished among the nation's top 10 in tackles for a loss. Knicky wrapped up the 2008 season earning first-team all-conference honors.
Entering his final season in a Lumberjack uniform, Knicky has been the emotional leader of the defense for the past three seasons. He finished the season sixth on the team with 74 tackles, including 40 solo stops. He also broke up four passes on the season and was credited with one fumble recovery. Knicky led the 'Jacks with five forced fumbles.
A Garrison, Texas, native, Williams has been racking up the preseason honors heading into his junior campaign. He has been named to three preseason All-America teams, as well a first-team All-SLC selection according to Phil Steele's Football Magazine. Williams led the SLC with 132 total tackles, to earn 2008 first-team all-league honors.
After spending his freshman season splitting time between running back and linebacker, Williams found a home on the defensive side of the ball last season. He ranked among the nation's top 10 averaging 11 tackles per game.
Among Williams' 132 tackles during his sophomore season, 47 were solo stops. He also posted six tackles for losses and three sacks on the season. Williams led the team with three interceptions, and was credited with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks.
Brooks, who transferred to SFA from Central Michigan prior to the 2008 season, was one of the more electric players in the league. 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. Brooks averaged 6.8 receptions per game during his junior campaign, which ranked 12th nationally.
Parks is considered a dual-threat on the preseason squad earning second-team honors as a receiver and return specialist. He finished third on the squad with 49 receptions for 591 yards and six touchdowns. Parks also returned seven punts for 85 yards (12.1 ypr) and 17 kicks for 391 (23.0 ypr) yards during the year. He closed out the season earning Sports Network Honorable Mention All-America Honors.
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-
