HAMMOND, La. – When the Southeastern Louisiana football team hits the field for the first time on Aug. 30, no position group will head into the opener with more game experience than the Lion tight ends and fullbacks.
The multi-faceted group features a quartet of returners in juniors Bransen Schwebel and Zeke Jenkins, along with sophomores Damien Dawson and Dalton Brabham.
Schwebel is the group’s top pass catching threat, as the Amite, Louisiana native was second on the team with three touchdown receptions. Jenkins caught two scores himself, while he and Dawson were two of the top run blockers for the nation’s No. 3 rushing offense a season ago. Brabham received valuable playing time as a true freshman, seeing action in seven games.
First-year assistant coach A.J. Hopp, who works with the offensive tackles in addition to his duties overseeing the tight ends and fullbacks, has been pleased with his veteran group.
“All of our guys come to compete every day and I’ve been really pleased their work ethic,” Hopp said. “This group pushes each other to be better and we’re looking forward to the coming season.”
While each player has his own strengths, Hopp hopes the group’s versatility shines through in 2018.
“All of our guys bring their own strengths to the table,” Hopp commented. “But they all are also well-rounded enough to do everything we ask them to do.”
Saturday is a busy day for Southeastern, as season ticket holders will also be able to participate in the Season Ticket Party, scheduled from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the south end zone of Strawberry Stadium.
Media Day follows at 2 p.m. in the Victory Club. Media members will be able to meet with head coach Frank Scelfo, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Greg Stevens, defensive coordinator Louie Cioffi, Schwebel, senior running back Darren Johnson, senior offensive lineman Kyle Strickland, sophomore wide receiver Austin Mitchell, senior linebacker Sean Clavelle, junior linebacker Kyle Nevels and senior defensive lineman Jon Miller.
The Lions open the 2018 season with a 7 p.m. contest next Thursday at ULM. The game will be televised on ESPN+, the subscription-based arm of ESPN, and will air on the Southeastern Radio Network (KSLU-FM 90.9, Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM, WFPR 1400 AM). The game can also be heard online at www.LionSports.net/live and via the TuneIn Radio and RadioFX apps.
SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
For season ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. The Lions will welcome conference foes Central Arkansas (Sept. 15), Northwestern State (Sept. 29), Houston Baptist (Oct. 13 – Homecoming), Abilene Christian (Oct. 20 – Hall of Fame Game) and McNeese (Nov. 3).
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at la*@so**********.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA/#SelfieWithScelfo
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @SLUFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
Fans can also win a pair of SLU Football season tickets by participating in the #SelfieWithScelfo campaign during the month of August. Follow @SLU_athletictix on Twitter for more information.
FRANK SCELFO COACHES SHOW
The Frank Scelfo Coaches Show will debut on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Tope La Catering (113 East Thomas Street) in downtown Hammond. The season’s first show will air on Tuesday due to Labor Day. The season’s remaining shows will be held each Monday through Nov. 12 with a 7 p.m. start for each.
The show will air on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU-FM (90.9), Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and WFPR 1400 AM). Fans can also listen live at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Radio FX and TuneIn Radio apps. A live video stream of the show will be available via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/sluathletics.
Fall Camp Key Dates
Aug. 25 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Season Ticket Party); 2 p.m. (Media Day)
By: Southeastern Athletics
