How the 2009 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack seniors will be remembered is still to be determined.
Considering it's early November, that's a good thing.
SFA's annual "Senior Night" football game — set for 6 p.m. Saturday against Nicholls State at Homer Bryce Stadium — has more meaning than most final home games have had in recent seasons.
The Lumberjacks are 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the Southland Conference standings, which places them in a four-way tie for first place, with three games remaining.
How will the seniors be remembered?
It depends on how SFA finishes. Should the team win its last three games, the senior class will be remembered as the one that helped the team capture a conference title, a rarity at SFA.
Should the team falter down the stretch, the senior class could be remembered in some circles simply as a winning group, another rarity in the last half a decade.
With losing seasons the previous four seasons, the Lumberjacks have already guaranteed themselves a winning campaign this year.
It hasn't been a bed of roses for these seniors.
Most of them came to SFA under the assumption that Robert McFarland would be their head coach during their time as Lumberjack players. But after two seasons, McFarland left to take an assistant coaching slot at Iowa State, where his friend, Gene Chizik, had just taken over as head coach.
Seeking continuity and stability, SFA promoted J.C. Harper from defensive coordinator to head coach. The team went through an 0-11 campaign in 2007 — the school's first winless season ever — before rebounding and finishing 4-8 last season.
This season, the program has earned respect as a serious title contender. SFA had sole possession of first place in the Southland Conference until last weekend, when a 28-7 loss to Texas State dropped the team into a four-way tie.
While this group's legacy is not complete, Harper said this senior class has been special.
"This group has gone through a lot of change," Harper said. "They had to go through a lot, before they settled into their comfort zone.
"To me, these seniors are winners. They went through some tough times. They have proved that they know what it takes to win in football and to be leaders. Those things take time. It took them seeing the big picture."
One thing's for certain, the seniors still have goals to accomplish after Saturday's ceremony honoring them at the Nicholls game.
"We can still get to 9-2, win the title and make a statement in the playoffs," senior receiver Duane Brooks said. "I want to be remembered that way."
"There's a lot of football left," senior receiver Aaron Rhea said. "I think we have four games left, minimum.
"I want to be a part of a group that helped turn it around and made it to the playoffs. That's stuff that hasn't been done much here."
Senior defensive end Tim Knicky, who has played through an ankle injury all season, is another veteran who wants to go out with a conference ring and playoff experience. An All-American and All-conference player, Knicky has plenty of personal accolades.
But going out with a title will be special for the defensive end. The former walk-on has experienced it all — the lows of being 0-11 two seasons ago, the frustration of being injured this season and the highs of being on a contender in his final go-around.
"We want to be remembered as a group that helped turn it around," he said. "We've gone through some tough times. Words can't really describe what putting a ring on my finger and going to the playoffs would mean.
"It would be so sweet. I can't even describe it.'
So, this round (of cheers) is for the SFA's seniors.
But don't relax, guys. There's still a conference title hanging in the balance.
SFA seniors
Cory Barlow, safety; Duane Brooks, receiver; Chris Garrison, offensive lineman; Karl Glimp, offensive lineman; Andre Hicks, defensive lineman; Max Holmes, offensive lineman; Tim Knicky, defensive end; Contrevious Parks, receiver; Daniel Patricio, offensive lineman; Vincent Pervis, running back; Aaron Rhea, receiver; Tyrone Ross, running back; and Efrain Sanchez, defensive lineman.
