College Sports

NACOGDOCHES – Approximately 90 athletes reported to campus Sunday afternoon to begin preparations for the 2008 football season, under second-year head coach J.C. Harper. The players will spend the day getting checked in, and in team meetings before taking to the field Monday at 6:30 p.m. for their first workout. The practice session will be the first of 29 practice dates prior to the season-opener against Langston.

The 2008 season will be a first of sorts for the Lumberjack football program. SFA will play a 12-game schedule, marking the first time in school history the program has played 12 regular-season contests. The ‘Jacks kickoff the ‘08 campaign Saturday, Aug. 30th, with a 6 p.m. game against Langston. SFA will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, the following week to face Texas Christian. The game against the Horned Frogs will be the ‘Jacks’ lone game showdown against an NCAA Division I FBS opponent. SFA will play seven games within the friendly confines of Homer Bryce Stadium this season.

Coach Harper has added several new faces to the SFA coaching staff for the upcoming year. Former Lumberjack All-Americans David Gibbs, and Eric Lokey joined the staff along with Shannon Dawson and Kris Kocurek. Gibbs will coach the safeties, and takes over as the new defensive coordinator, while Dawson is the new offensive coordinator. Dawson will also coach the SFA quarterbacks. Lokey will work with the linebackers, while Kocurek will coach the defensive line.

Two Lumberjacks were named to the 2008 Preseason All-Southland Conference team. Junior defensive end Tim Knicky, and sophomore Jabara Williams received second-team recognition on the league’s second-team.