'Jacks, Demons Square Off in 2011 Finale
11/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 16, 2011
NACOGDOCHES, Texas
BATTLE FOR CHIEF CADDO NEXT ON THE DOCKET: The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team will place its four-game win streak on the line Saturday when they travel to Natchitoches, La., to face Northwestern State for the 2011 regular-season finale. The annual Battle for Chief Caddo pits a Lumberjack (5-5/4-2 SLC) football team that has turned the ship around following a 1-5 start, against a Demon squad that is 5-5 (.500) on the season and 3-3 (.500) in conference play. The Demons have won three of their past five games but have dropped two consecutive, and are coming off a 43-17 setback at Sam Houston State. Saturday's game is slated for a 3 p.m. kickoff from Turpin Stadium, and will be televised on the Southland Television Network.
SFA vs. THE DEMONS: The Lumberjacks trail the all-time series against Northwestern State, 22-42-3 (.351), but have found some success lately. SFA has won three of the past five meetings against the Demons including two straight. The 'Jacks posted a 36-13 victory in Nacogdoches last season to wrap up their second-straight conference title. SFA is 8-10-1 (.447) against the Demons in Natchitoches dating back to the 1970 season.
SFA in TELEVISED GAMES: The 'Jacks are 14-14 (.500) all-time in televised games dating back to the 2000 season, and 1-1 (.500) in 2011. After dropping nine of 11 televised games from 2005 to 2008, the Lumberjacks have responded by winning seven of their last 10 televised games.
CHASING DOWN THE RECORD BOOKS: Two Lumberjack receivers are the verge of making program history. Junior Gralyn Crawford caught six passes against Southeastern Louisiana to become the school's all-time leader. He now needs only 484 yards receiving, and 183 all-purpose yards to set new school records in each category. Classmate Cordell Roberson needs only five more touchdown receptions to become the program's all-time leader in that category.
GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK: The Lumberjack defense has been on a tear lately, getting to the opposing team's quarterback. SFA recorded four more sacks against Southeastern Louisiana, and have recorded 29 sacks (7.25 spg) in the past four contests.
WIN STREAK: The Lumberjacks will take a modest four-game win streak into Saturday's season-finale at Northwestern State. The streak is more impressive when considering it follows a 1-5 start to the season.
GROUND ATTACK: The 'Jacks' ground attack has come to life over the course of the past three weeks of the season. SFA is averaging 171.7 yards rushing in its past three contests.
THE COACHES: J.C. Harper became the 18th head coach of the SFA Lumberjack football team in December 2006. A two-time SLC Coach of the Year, Harper has guided SFA to consecutive conference titles and NCAA playoff appearances. Harper is 28-30 (.483) in five seasons as a head coach. Northwestern State head coach Bradley Dale Peveto is 10-22 in his third season with the Demons.
