Wins against Southland Conference contenders the last two Saturdays have put the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks into the position where every game holds big-time ramifications.
That just adds that much more to the annual SFA-Sam Houston rivalry — "The Battle of the Piney Woods" — set for 2 p.m. today at Homer Bryce Stadium.
The rivalry has been the cause of great frustration for SFA's football program, which has one victory against the Bearkats this decade.
SFA's lone win was in 2003, a 3-point decision in Huntsville. Otherwise, Sam Houston has won five straight and eight of nine in the series.
If anything, that should get SFA's full attention, even though the Lumberjacks have won five consecutive games since dropping its opener to SMU. Included in that run are back-to-back 3-point decisions against McNeese State and Central Arkansas the last two weekends.
The winning streak has SFA sharing first place in the league standings with Southeastern Louisiana, which is 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
Just when you think SFA is up to something, a game with Sam Houston arrives.
Although the Lumberjacks have done a lot right this season, they face a definite "step-up" game today.
"It's like I said last year," Lumberjacks third-year head coach J.C. Harper said. "It's hard to make it a rivalry when you don't win one of them."
"We understand the rivalry," SFA safety Cory Barlow said. "There has been some bad blood between us.
"The year before I got here, there was this all-out brawl on the field."
Junior quarterback Jeremy Moses said the Lumberjacks respect the rivalry, but understand that the big picture of the season is more important.
"I'm looking at it as they're the next team in the way of our championship season," Moses said.
Sam Houston enters today's game 1-1 in the league, after losing to Southeastern Louisiana 37-21 last week. The Bearkats opened league play with a 44-21 decision over Nicholls State.
Sam Houston is led by senior quarterback Blake Joseph, a transfer from the University of Houston who has had mixed results — seven touchdown passes and five interceptions. The 6-2, 215-pounder was 16-of-35 for 180 yards with three interceptions and two touchdowns, as Sam Houston was held to 272 yards offense against SLU last Saturday.
The Bearkats feature one of the better running backs in the league — senior James Aston. He has rushed for 478 yards and is tied with Central Arkansas' Brent Grimes in rushing scores with eight.
The Bearkats' defense has been soft at times, allowing 28 and 45 points in their first two games, 56 to Tulsa and 37 to SLU.
SFA's ticket in getting out to a 2-0 start in the league has been securing an early lead and leaning largely on its defense, the most improved part of the team since last season.
Even after Central Arkansas scored 10 points in a three-play span to tie SFA at 30-30 with about a minute left last week, SFA responded with a drive that set up true freshman Evan Engwall's 35-yard field goal that won it.
While that win capped a big two weeks for SFA, it precedes another big test. Can the Lumberjacks get to 3-0 in the league by defeating a team that has had its number?
"We've never been in this situation," Harper said. "All we know to do is go out and play hard and don't look back."
Gametime: SFA hosts Sam Houston at 2 p.m. today at Homer Bryce Stadium.
Records: SFA is 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Southland. Sam Houston is 3-3 and 1-1.
Last week: SFA defeated Central Arkansas 33-30. Southeastern Louisiana defeated Sam Houston 37-21.
Coaches: SFA's J.C. Harper. Sam Houston's Todd Whitten.
Series: Sam Houston leads the all-time series 48-33-2. The Bearkats have won the last five games and eight of nine.
TV/Radio: No live TV. Radio: KTBQ (107.7 FM). Pregame is at 1:45 p.m.
Outlook: Tied for first place in the SLC, SFA tries to keep it going against rival Sam Houston. The Lumberjacks seem to have the edge in most categories, but that doesn't seem to matter much in this game. Sam Houston has owned the series. With the Bearkats coached by former SFA quarterback Todd Whitten and former Northwestern State head coach Scott Stoker in charge of the defense, chances are good Sam Houston that is going to come out ultra-charged and geared up for a big game.
Bottom line: Every time you think Sam Houston is down a little bit and SFA has the advantages, the Bearkats rise up and throw a wrench in the mix. How'd that happen? That said, SFA's offense is due a break-out game and the Lumberjacks' defense is really playing well. SFA's special teams have been steady, too. Sam Houston's offense has the potential to score, but the defense is shaky. SFA has proved it can win them close the last two weeks. The home guys are itching to turn it loose. Expect some big plays and big momentum swings.
Prediction: Careful, careful, guys.
SFA 36, Sam Houston 20.
Kevin Gore
