SFA Expects Special Teams to be Special
8/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 13, 2009
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Often overlooked, the special teams are rarely thought of, or talked about by the average fan. Overlooked until the kicker misses a 35-yard field goal to win the big game, or the deep snapper sends the ball sailing over the punter's outstretched arm for a huge loss.
The Lumberjack coaching staff paid attention to the special teams last season, which is evident by the number of blocked kicks SFA recorded in 2008, as well as the production of then-freshman punter Drew Nelson. Behind the directon of special teams coordinator Todd Schonhar SFA's should be strong again this year.
Special teams should be an area of strength for SFA in 2009, but they will have to replace kicker Cory Long. Nelson returns from a rookie season that saw him earn honorable mention All-Southland Conference honors after averaging 40.6 yards per punt and downing 17 balls inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He will get the early nod at kicker, but SFA has brought in a couple of highly-touted prospects in Evan Engwall and Thomas Henshaw, who will give Nelson the opportunity to focus solely on punting.
Junior Dustin Kempf returns as the team's deep snapper, a position he has held since his rookie season. Kempf's veteran leadership will be key for an otherwise youthful group of kickers.
SFA also has the benefit of bringing back its top four return specialists from a year ago. Seniors Duane Brooks, Contrevious Parks and Aaron Rhea provide SFA with big-play potential on punt and kick returns. The trio averaged 9.6 yards per punt return and 19.5 yards per kick return last season. Add classmate Vincent Pervis to the mix who led the team averaging 23.2 yards per kick return, with a touchdown, and the Lumberjacks will have a very strong explosive group of returners.
The 'Jacks kick off the 2009 season Saturday, Sept. 5, at SMU. The game against the Mustangs is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from Dallas, Texas.
