SFA football opens fall camp with a ‘Red Dirt Mindset’

NACOGDOCHES, Texas ( KETK ) — SFA has prided itself on being built in, and by East Texas, and with this move back to the Southland, head coach Colby Carthel is looking for more local talent to make their way to Nacogdoches.

“Getting back behind the Pine Curtain, and so we’ve got a bunch of guys, that’s kind of been the motto of the team took on, to be East Texas Tough, have that Red Dirt Mindset and these guys have,” said Carthel.

“We’re definitely excited to be going to a new conference, new competition, and we’re coming in here with a chip on our shoulder,” said defensive back Jeremiah Walker.

The Lumberjacks enter 2024 with a competition at the quarterback position, and among those guys fighting for a job, is former Kilgore Bulldog, Dalton McElyea, who is going into his fourth year, and is hoping this is the season, he’ll be able to lead the Jacks on the field.

“Quarterback competition, it’s open, I think it’s going to help the team, all of us competing against each other, only going to make everyone better,” said McElyea. “I stuck around, finally getting some reps, and that’s what I’ve been working for.”

The Jacks are coming off a 3-8 2023 campaign, where they lost the last six games of the season.

But with a new conference home, comes a new mentality in deep East Texas.

“Just excited and, we’re all bought in right now and I’m excited to keep going through camp and you know see how we improve,” said Walker.

“Hopefully all the fans come out and support, I think it’s going to be a good deal,” said McElyea.

“Really excited about these guys, and excited about what’s in store for them their senior year, because those who stay will be champions,” said Carthel.

East Texas Tough, with a Red Dirt Mindset, is a mantra the Jacks plan to put into action when the season kicks off, at Homer Bryce Stadium.

SFA will open the 2024 season at home against the North American Stallions, on Thursday, August 29th.

Kickoff will be at 7 pm, from Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches.

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