5 Takeaways: Jacks reclaim Chief Caddo

Saturday was a mixed bag for Stephen F. Austin fans. While the Volleyball Ladyjacks were eliminated in Conway, Arkansas, the Lumberjacks football team ended a disappointing season on a high note.

Seniors made impressive plays but the future was on display too. In the end, SFA won by a comfortably-uncomfortable margin and walked into the offseason with something positive to replace the crushing memory of losing to Houston Baptist.

Here are a few things we learned on Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium:

1. Zach Conque was wildly underappreciated at SFA

SFA’s senior signal caller ended his Lumberjacks career on Saturday as maybe the most overly disparaged football player since Tony Romo. Truly, he had a thankless job – guiding a largely mediocre and thoroughly injury-plagued team in two of his three seasons.

He had a few ugly games, certainly. Hunter Taylor, another player SFA fans should remember fondly, stepped in a few times to mixed results. But overall, the sheer athleticism of Conque made plays so often where a more average counterpart would be unable. You know, like this third down play over the weekend:



Because of the final win-loss record, many fans will remember Zach for his early season slump, the game where he was pulled at McNeese, where he watched from the bench as Taylor led the Jacks a week later against ACU – you know, the bad stuff.

That’s a damn shame.

I’ll be remembering Zach for his last second touchdown to win against Nicholls last season. I’ll remember the dramatic win he led to punch SFA’s ticket to the playoffs against Northwestern State two years ago. I’ll also remember Zach for the career day he had against NSU this last weekend where he said goodbye to Lumberjacks fans in the way only he could – throwing for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns, running for 120 yards more, and catching a two-point conversion to put the game on ice.

Yeah, there were some disappointing teams during his time in Purple and White. But Zach Conque was a rare talent and he’ll be missed in ways most fans will probably never fully appreciate.

2. Keep up the Pace

There are some very good players who played their final collegiate snaps on Saturday. There will be questions at quarterback, offensive line, and other position groups where young players will be vying for opportunities this spring. But one area where there should be no doubt? SFA has a bonafide #1 receiver.

Tamerick Pace finished an impressive season against Northwestern State with another 8 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. Oh, and he’s just a freshman.

SFA could use a new superstar or two. If Pace isn’t already one in your mind just give it a year. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

3. Clint Conque needs to win 2017

Program building is a long and frustrating process. History favors the few patient enough to see the whole project through – you know, unlike the University of Texas if reports are true that Charlie Strong will be fired next week.

But Clint Conque will begin his fourth year in Nacogdoches when this team kicks off in 2017. His pedigree has earned patience, without a doubt. The state of SFA’s program when he arrived, too. But year four, one full recruiting cycle, is when results should start showing. There will be some young players in big roles next year but the Lumberjacks need to start winning close games.

This isn’t to say that it’s a conference championship or bust year – that would be a ridiculous demand in a conference that currently boasts the FCS’ #1 ranked team in Sam Houston State right now. But somewhere along the way, the results do need to start showing.

I get that there’s plenty of unrest. That’s fine – nobody should fault fans for having lofty expectations. But I fully believe Conque is the right man to make SFA a winner. It’s time to show why in 2017.

4. Loren Easly didn’t forget how to run

2016 hasn’t come easily for Easly. Dealing with an offensive line that has struggled more than not, the running game has been all but non-existent a season removed from Easly’s emerging as perhaps the next great runner to wear purple and white.

The season finale against Northwestern State was a reminder that he didn’t forget how to play. Together with Conque, Joshawa West, and Kijana Amous, Easily contributed to nearly three hundred rushing yards with 63 of his own and two touchdowns. Amous will have a big role next year but Easly, a year removed from some spectacular performances in 2015, is still a player with a huge upside.

5. The Chief is ours for basketball season

The drive to Natchitoches really isn’t particularly fun. Long and boring, actually. Making it far worse was having to see the Chief on display in Prather Coliseum during my latest trip for a late-season basketball game this past spring.

Guess what? He’s ours to gloat over for the next year. If Kyle Keller’s bunch finally figures out how to not turn the ball over, another basketball sweet of Northwestern State will be even sweeter knowing their fans have to stare at the great Mr. Caddo while they walk to the exit of William R. Johnson Coliseum.

Thank your football team for that.