Graylan Spring Game as much about Celebration as Competition

Sunday, April 26

Nacogdoches, Texas

2:00 P.M.

Stephen F. Austin

Graylan Spring Game

Photo by: McKenzie Whittinghill

Graylan Spring Game as much about Celebration as Competition

4/29/2026 12:52:00 PM | Football, General

SFA offense earned 70-47 victory with winning score in final session; Jacks close spring activities as only summer separates the return of the Southland Conference champs to Homer Bryce Stadium

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Defending Southland Conference Champ Stephen F. Austin concluded spring practices on Sunday afternoon, April 26, in front of over 500 family members, friends and proud supporters. Those in attendance were treated to a warm afternoon inside Homer Bryce Stadium as well as a first viewing of the 2026 Lumberjacks. The Jacks put on a show as the SFA offense finished on top in the uniquely scored, eight-section action that showcased all three phases of the game with a heavy mixing of returners and newcomers.

Multiple signal callers led the Jacks through drills and team sections including returners Gavin Rutherford, Bryson Broadway, JT Kitna and Myles Lopez and semester newcomer freshman Jacob Janecek. There was some opposition on the backend of the defense for the Jacks' quarterback room as new member of the secondary Jamal Acosta Lewis and returning defensive back Kentrelle Omar picked off passes. Stetson Sarratt was a key beneficiary in the pass game on Sunday hauling in multiple receptions including three for 20+ yards.

Lumberjack fans were able to lay eyes on what is arguably the best offensive backfield in the Football Championship Subdivision. Jeffery Jones Jr., Rickey Stewart and Caleb Crenshaw are the newest additions to a room that includes returners Braden Lewis and Jaylen Jenkins. That group was met on the other side of the football by a new-look linebacker room that includes first-year Jacks Eli Ennis and Gary Seidenberger among others.

As much as the afternoon was about the competition between the lines, it was even more so about celebration. The national championship-winning SFA Cheer and Dance Team squads were on hand to not only perform, but to also be recognized for the latest hardware in their respective program's collection.

In January 2023, SFA football student-athlete Graylan Spring and former baseball student-athlete Micah McAfoose both passed away from injuries suffered in a January 20 car accident.

Graylan, the namesake of SFA's end-of-spring competition, represented and personified what it means to be a Lumberjack. His dedication, work ethic and team-first mentality were cornerstones to his success on and off the football field. He was the son of two former Lumberjack student-athletes in Gary and Krista Spring, who care and love SFA deeply. Through the support of many, the Springs created a scholarship that will carry on Graylan's legacy as a member of the Lumberjack football team.

At each Graylan Spring game, an SFA football student-athlete, one who best displays the characteristics of a true SFA Lumberjack, a dedicated, selfless leader who constantly puts the team above all else and a motivator that will guide, direct and grow the next generation of Lumberjacks, on and off the football field will be honored as the recipient of the Graylan Spring Memorial Scholarship.

The 2026 recipient is junior linebacker Malachi Williams. Williams, who enters his senior season this fall, calls Brookhaven, Mississippi home. He concluded his first season as a Lumberjack with 91 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a recovery to go along with a 28-yard interception return touchdown in the win over Cal Poly.

It was perfect timing for two former Lumberjack All-Americans. Charles Demmings and Jaydon Southard were both on hand and were honored during the action. Demmings was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings the day prior, while Southard received rookie camp invites from both the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs.

Speaking of All-Americans and Jacks that left a legacy, Homer Bryce Stadium's playing surface looked slightly different on Saturday night prior to Sunday's action. The program's annual "Night of Champions" took place as the 2009 and 2010 back-to-back Southland Conference Champions were honored.

Representing those dominant teams included standout Lumberjacks in quarterback Jeremy Moses, wide receiver Cordale Roberson, defensive end Tim Knicky and linebacker Jabara Williams as well as coach Chris Truax.

Moses finished his career as one of the most decorated Lumberjacks of all-time claiming the 2010 Walter Payton Award and finishing as the program's all-time leader in completions, passing yards and touchdown passes. A fellow All-American, Roberson concluded his career as SFA's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and his 39 career touchdown catches remain the program standard.

An All-American by two different outlets following the '09 season, Knicky's dominance for the Jacks resulted in him finishing his career at SFA as the all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss, both of which still have Knicky's name at the top.

Williams earned All-America honors as a fearsome linebacker with a knack for getting to the football. His career concluded as the program's all-time leader in assisted tackles and he is one of only three SFA defenders with 400 or more career tackles. Williams was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2011 draft.

Truax held multiple coaching positions for the Jacks including running backs, offensive line and offensive coordinator. He directed the SFA offensive line during the Jacks' run to back-to-back SLC titles.

Led by head coach J.C. Harper, the 2009 Lumberjacks went 6-1 in Southland Conference play and finished with a 10-3 record overall, the first double-digit win season since 1995. The Jacks earned the program's first FCS playoff appearance in 15 years and defeated Eastern Washington 44-33 in the first round. SFA finished the 2009 campaign ranked inside the top 10 nationally in both major FCS polls.

The Jacks were ready for an encore following the program-reviving year of 2009. The 2010 Lumberjacks won nine games marking the second-most wins over any two-year stretch in program history. The Jacks claimed the SLC championship for a second-straight season and earned a national postseason berth in back-to-back years for just the second time in program history.

Additional honorees on Sunday included the announcement of several Lumberjacks that will don the program's prestigious single-digit numbers as voted upon by their teammates and noted by head coach Colby Carthel as "a great honor that is bestowed on the select few..."

Among the single-digit honorees for 2026 (with some still to be announced) that also received the honor last season include offensive lineman Erik Gray (#55), quarterback Gavin Rutherford (#12) and wide receiver/return specialist Bugs Mortimer (#9). Williams will wear the #0 after being named the Ultimate Teammate and will be joined by new single-digit jersey bearers in returners Jaylen Jenkins (#6) and Lowote Jurkin (#1) and newcomer Jamel Acosta Lewis (#3).

Saturday night's festivities and Sunday afternoon's action were made possible by the generous and unwavering support of multiple sponsors.

Eastex Glass served as the "Night of Champions" Champion Sponsor with Continuing Sponsor Etech and presenting sponsor Badders Law Firm continuing to make a huge impact on the lives of SFA football student-athletes. Additional sponsors include the Graylan Spring Foundation, McKinney Morgan House, MRSW Management, Texas First Bank, SFA Alumni Association, CBTX, A1 Party Rentals, Milton Inc., Morgan Insurance, Cadence Bank, 16 Club, Budweiser and HTeaO.

The 2026 season will be the eighth for head coach Colby Carthel and the 100th for the SFA football program. The Lumberjacks are coming off a historic 2025 campaign that saw SFA capture the program's fifth SLC title and first since 2010, while making the program's ninth FCS postseason appearance. That title came behind the program's first eight-win conference season and first perfect finish in league play in 99 seasons. The Jacks reached double-digit wins for the fifth time in program history, and the 11 victories last fall are the most since the '95 campaign.

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