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NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) -- The SFA Lumberjacks enter this season as the defending Southland Conference champions, and as they prepare for 2026, the expectation is to bring another title back home to Nacogdoches.
SFA Lumberjacks host summer football camp at Chapel Hill
"We trynna play today. We're trying to play today. Let's just line it up right now. We already got the pads on," said safety Jamel Acosta-Lewis.
With two weeks to go until their season opener at conference foe McNeese State…The SFA Lumberjacks are champing at the bit.
SFA is coming off an historic season, in which the 'Jacks won 11 games, including a Southland title, and made it to the FCS quarterfinals.
But the Jacks players are the first to admit it's a new year.
"We already turned that page. We never talk about, 'hey, we were good last year. Yeah, we beat them last year, so we should," said Acosta-Lewis. "No, it's never that. It's always: we never get complacent."
"We're just trying to be the best team that we can in 2026, and we're trying to just get better every day," said quarterback Gavin Rutherford.
The Jacks know they'll have a target on their back in 2026, especially since SFA was selected preseason number one in the Southland.
They aren't taking the rat poison, but they're embracing the heightened expectations.
"There is a target on your chest. I like that. We've been in that situation before as a staff and as a program, and so you know no excuses," said head coach Colby Carthel. "You're getting everybody's best, but you better be prepared for it week in and week out."
Different from last season, SFA will play every team in the Southland, starting with McNeese week one.
"Last year it was undisputed because there was only one team undefeated. Luckily that was the Lumberjacks," said Carthel. "This year, I doubt anyone goes through unscathed, but everybody will play everybody. You get everybody's best shot."
While the 'Jacks lost considerable talent from last year's team, especially on defense, where Malachi Williams returns as the lone starter, the new faces are stepping up and gelling ahead of kickoff.
"This is a brotherhood, man. It's building quick. We've brought in a lot of transfers. A lot of dudes from all around the United States, and we're getting close quick," said Acosta-Lewis.
"We're just trying to keep on going. Raise the standard every day and just trying to meet the standard, whether it's the young guys or whether it's the older, the vets guys. So we're just trying to do that, and as I said, keep getting better," said Rutherford.
The Lumberjacks will begin their Southland Championship defense on the road when they head to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to take on the McNeese State Cowboys.
Kickoff will be at 6:00 p.M. on Saturday, August 29th, at Navarre Stadium.
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