Game #10
November 21, 1970 - Sam Houston 25, Stephen F. Austin 18

In Sam Houston's first 54 years of football, the Bearkats had chalked up single season victory totals of eight or more wins only seven times.

But, on the eve of the final game of 1970, the Kats stood just one win away from extending that total to eight years.

The 1970 squad had rolled up Sam Houston's best record since the 1964 NAIA Co-Championship season and entered its "Battle of the Piney Woods" rival game with Stephen F. Austin with a 7-2-1 record.

With a victory over SFA on that November afternoon in Nacogdoches, the Bearkats even had a shot at another Lone Star Conference title if Southwest Texas could upset nationally-ranked Texas A&I.

Tom Page had replaced Bearkat coaching legend Paul "Red" Pierce in 1968. In his second season as coach in 1969, the Kats had finished third in the Lone Star. A victory over the Jacks would better that mark.

Sam Houston rolled into Nacogdoches with a powerful ground game built around halfback Fred Reese.

Behind the blocking of an outstanding front line led by all-American Ron Carroll, Reese had rushed for more than 100 yards in five games including a 216-yard performance against McMurry. In 1970, that total ranked behind only McNeil Moore's 286 yards against Lamar in 1951.

Typical of just about every meeting between Sam Houston and SFA in the series, the Lumberjacks were itching for an upset on their home field.

The Lumberjack defense picked off three Sam Houston passes, helping Stephen F. Austin keep the outcome in doubt.

Earnest Burr scored the first Bearkat touchdown on a three-yard run and Sam Houston quarterback John O'Leary found end Chuck Hill open for a seven-yard pass.

A 15-yard touchdown run by Reese in the second half settled the issue as the Bearkats held off SFA for a 25-18 victory.

The victory gave the Bearkats an 8-2-1 record for the 1970 season, the best mark for Sam Houston since 1964.

Texas A&I ran over Southwest Texas 42-2 to nail down the Lone Star Conference title with an 8-1 record. Sam Houston finished one game back at 7-2 in league play. The Javelinas went on to win the NAIA National Championship.

Reese finished the 1970 season with 1,115 yards on 177 carries, only the second 1,000-yard rushing season for Sam Houston to that point in Bearkat history. The halfback finished his career in 1971 with 2,160 rushing yards. That total now ranks No. 7 all-time in Sam Houston career annals but, in 1970, only Moore had totaled more career yards (2,578).

Carroll, Reese and Hill along with Terry Fincher, David Kubiak, Monroe Scott and Dickey Williams earned All-Lone Star Conference honors.

The win in 1970 upped Sam Houston's "Battle of the Piney Woods" record at that point to 27 victories, 16 loses and one tie.

A new chapter in the "Battle of the Piney Woods" football rivalry begins Saturday, Oct. 23 when Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin meet at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

The move of the series to Reliant Stadium for the next four seasons comes from a partnership between Lone Star Sports & Entertainment (LSSE) and the two universities. LSSE is an independent event management company which is closely affiliated with the NFL's Houston Texans.

Battle of the Piney Woods tickets are now on sale through the university's athletic websites at www.gobearkats.com. Fans also can purchase tickets at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone at Bowers Stadium or by calling ticket office at (936) 294-1729.

Ticket prices range from $15 to $35. Sam Houston State season ticket holders will have premium ticket locations included in their packages. Only lower bowl seating will be open at Reliant Stadium for the "Battle of the Piney Woods." Sam Houston fans will be seated on the west side of the stadium while the SFA section will be on the east side.

Battle of the Piney Woods
Previous Greatest Games:
1.) Sam Houston's first victory over SFA -- Bearkats 6, Jacks 0 -- 1925.
2.) Kats earn first conference title -- Bearkats 20, Jacks 0 -- 1930
3.) Thanksgiving Day thriller -- Bearkats 13, Jacks 6 -- 1938
4.) Win earns Kats' first post-season game -- Bearkats 32, Jacks 20 -- 1952
5.) Mac Moore runs over Lumberjacks -- Bearkats 25, Jacks 14 -- 1953
6.) Kats clinch first Lone Star title -- Bearkats 27, Jacks 6 -- 1954
7.) Shutout completes perfect season -- Bearkats 31, Jacks 0 -- 1956
8.) Rain soaked upset spoils SFA Homecoming -- Bearkats 6, Jacks 0 -- 1959
9.) Halloween win paves way to national title  -- Bearkats 21, Jacks 8 -- 1964
Next week --
Bearkat victory over SFA earns SHSU Gulf Star title -- 1985