SFA Spring Football Preview: Lumberjack Special Teams Unit
3/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
The 2016 Stephen F. Austin spring football schedule gets underway on Wednesday, March 23rd. Beginning his third season at the helm, head coach Clint Conque and his squad is looking to #RaiseTheBar in 2016, building off a roster that returns 17 starters and 42 letterwinners.
SPRING FOOTBALL – SPECIAL TEAMS PREVIEW
Overview:
One of coach Conque’s hallmarks throughout his career is to be efficient in all three phases with a special emphasis given to special teams. Heading into spring practices, as well as the fall schedule, the Lumberjack special teams units will be one that is wide open, giving a number of players opportunities to solidify a position for 2016.
While the rest of the team returns a great deal of experience from last year, special teams was one of the areas hardest hit in the offseason, losing a number of experienced seniors. And while for the most part the SFA special teams units were efficient in 2015, there are a number of places the staff will be looking for significant improvements.
Kickers/Punters
For the second-straight season, the SFA kicking game will be a major question mark heading into the offseason. The ‘Jacks lost senior Mason Juhl last season, who came on strong over the second half of the season to become one of the most reliable kickers in the Southland Conference, as well as four-year punter Nick Bruno who leaves among the all-time program leaders at the position.
It will be a race that is wide open this spring season as three newcomers will vye for the job. Sophomore Caleb Lewallen earned the majority of work on kickoffs in 2015, averaging 59.3 yards per kick, but did not handle any place kicking duties for SFA. Additionally, redshirt freshman Connor Crow, part of the 2015 Signing Class, will go through his first true practice schedule for SFA and will have the opportunity to show off his skills in both the kicking and punting game.
To help shore up the kicking game, Conque brought in junior college transfer Troy Duran to add a strong leg to the roster. Duran spent one season at Kilgore College, handling both the kicking and punting duties and earning second team all-conference honors averaging 38 yards per punt. He was also eight of 11 on field goal attempts with a long of 51.
Long Snappers/Holders
The one area across the special teams squad that has a returner with significant experience is the long snapper position. Sophomore Chris Wilkerson is getting ready to begin his second spring season under Conque and saw action in seven games as the Lumberjack short snapper in 2015. Transfer Nick Jones could also be called upon to help with the long snapping duties, filling that role at times during his junior college days.
Holder will be a key focus for Conque this offseason as the ‘Jacks lost both of their veteran holders in Aaron Thomas and Bruno. Special teams is always a big focus of practice for Conque, but it will take on an even more important meaning this offseason as SFA works to develop a reliable holder for the kicking game.
Return Specialists
Due to the number of injuries across the board for SFA last year, it also caused some uncertainty in the return positions as a number of players were called upon to step into those roles. Junior Robert Sylvester returns as the ‘Jacks’ leading kick return specialist, returning 21 kicks for 443 yards and sitting among the SLC leaders averaging 21.1 yards per return.
Sophomore Trevon Smith showed a level of comfort at the position as well, returning 12 kicks for 245 yards later in the season and giving SFA a viable option. Junior Aaron Piper and senior Joshawa West were also called upon in certain situations as well, giving Conque a number of players with some familiarity of what the position entails.
Punt return was an area that served as somewhat of an Achilles heel for the ‘Jacks as the team had just 14 returns for 12 yards in 2015, a 0.9 yard average. All 12 of those yards were gained by Judah Jones on eight returns who will once again be looked to as SFA’s primary punt returner in the spring season. However a handful of other players will be given an opportunity to earn a spot on the two-deep and provide SFA with a number of options.
Stephen F. Austin begins its spring practice schedule this afternoon at 4 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium, beginning its push toward the 2016 season. All practices are open to the public as the ‘Jacks will hold 15 practice sessions, leading up to the 2016 spring game on Saturday, April 16th at 6 p.m.
-SFA-
