Piney Woods battle renewed
After a year’s absence in 2020, Battle of the Piney Woods is renewed for the 95th time. Top-ranked Sam Houston, the reigning 2021 spring football FCS champion, has won the past nine games in the series, six under coach K.C. Keeler and its past 14 games overall. Both teams now compete in the Western Athletic Conference.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH SFA’s improvement
1
Colby Carthel has made the Lumberjacks competitive
in his third season as coach. SFA gave Texas Tech all it could handle this season in a 28-22 loss in Lubbock and expects to make Sam Houston work for everything. Personifying their coach, the Lumberjacks play with emotion. SFA is aggressive on defense, and special teams are known for being physical.
Who has advantage preparation wise?
2
SFA, which played a
traditional fall season in 2020, has had time to scout Sam Houston. For 10 weeks, SFA coaches watched Sam Houston play a spring football schedule. Sam Houston, by playing in the spring, has had a beneficial carry over effect. Keeler said when the Kats were in training camp in August, it felt more like game 3 of the season.
Quarterback battle
3
Sam Houston’s Eric
Schmid is battle tested and owns a championship ring. In last week’s 45-35 victory at Central Arkansas Schmid threw four firsthalf touchdowns. For the season The Woodlands product has thrown for 801 yards and 10 touchdowns. Trae Self has helped position SFA into a conference contending team. Self has passed for 920 yards and five touchdowns.
Sam Houston’s defense overwhelms opponents
4
The Bearkats arguably
have the best defensive line in FCS with Jahari Kay, Joseph Wallace and Trace Mascorro. Historically, it’s been hard to run the football against Sam Houston because of the strong play from its defensive line and linebacker core of Quentin Brown, Trevor Williams and Markel Perry. Cornerback Jaylen Thomas has three interceptions over the past two games.
How will SFA attack Sam Houston?
5
Traditional methods
might not work against Sam Houston. To counter, SFA might use mass protection to give Self more time to throw. The Lumberjacks might rely heavily on quickpasses, screens, perhaps shots down field or gadget plays. The Lumberjacks will try to utilize Xavier Gipson, who leads the team with 19 catches for 337 yards.