Stephen F. Austin football preview

[blackfordpu]

A preview of the Kats biggest rival. They could be a handful this season.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - There is a ton of excitement surrounding the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football program, and expectations are high entering the 2007 season. But to the untrained eye of the casual observer, the numbers may not add up ... well that’s because the casual observer is looking at the wrong numbers.

The skeptics may say that SFA is coming off a 4-7 (.363) year, faced an offseason where it had to replace head coach Robert McFarland, as well as replacing four starters in the secondary, including two-time All-American safety Keldrick Holman, and has seen back-to-back sub-.500 records.

To the skeptic, I say, “Take a closer look at the numbers.” The Lumberjacks went 4-2 (.667) in Southland Conference play finishing tied for second in the league in 2006. The ’Jacks’ two league losses were by a total of only seven points. Coach McFarland did leave, but in his place stepped defensive coordinator J.C. Harper who kept the heart of the coaching staff in place – team continuity intact. And yes, SFA must go about the business of replacing its secondary and tight ends, but SFA returns the heart of its athletes at every other position, including first-team All-SLC quarterback Danny Southall and first-team all-league running back Louie Runnels. One other thing, of the ’Jacks seven setbacks in ’06, five were by eight points or less, and four were by four points or less. As for the stat about back-to-back losing records, just take a look at the ’Jacks’ depth chart during the past two seasons and you will see an alarming number of redshirt freshmen, true freshmen and sophomores. Oh, by the way, those freshmen and sophomores are now savvy veterans.

http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.db ... ID=1150321

[NDSUFREAK]

NDSU will welcom then to 19,000 in the seats!

[Tatanka]

Yes. Welcome indeed.

Most of us weren't alive the last time a football team named the "Jacks" came into Fargo and left with a W...

[westsidebison]

Yes. Welcome indeed.

Most of us weren't alive the last time a football team named the "Jacks" came into Fargo and left with a W...

Yeah, Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Kennedy was in office at the time. Come on rabbits you know we love you.