'Jacks Land Top-20 Preseason Rankings
6/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 5, 2011
Although the 2010-11 academic year has just ended, focus has already turned to the upcoming football season where Stephen F. Austin has solidified a couple of top-20 preseason rankings. The 'Jacks enter the 2011 season ranked 15th according Lindy's, while the College Sporting News has SFA listed 18th.
SFA is the highest ranked Southland Conference team according to Lindy's, while the College Sporting News has the 'Jacks listed as the third-highest team among SLC schools.
The Lumberjacks are coming off a historical season that saw them win their second-straight SLC title. It marked the first time in program history that SFA has won back-to-back titles. Two-time SLC Coach of the Year, J.C. Harper, has led SFA to a 19-6 overall record and a 12-2 conference mark in the past two seasons. The Lumberjacks have also received the league's automatic berth in the NCAA FCS Playoffs and a top-10 national ranking each of the past two years.
The Lumberjacks will have to replace 2010 Walter Payton Award winner Jeremy Moses at quarterback, but SFA returns nine starters on offense, including All-American receivers Gralyn Crawford and Cordell Roberson. SFA also returns three all-conference athletes on the offensive line. Defensively, the Lumberjacks return several standouts from a unit that led the league in total defense last year. The 'Jacks return two of the top linebackers in the league in Devine Ducote and Derrick Choice. All-conference selections Josh Aubrey and Ben Wells lead a very strong Lumberjack secondary.
SFA will kick off the 2011 season Thursday, Sept. 1, when they host McMury. The game against McMurry is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
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