Game #15
October 12, 1996 - Sam Houston 14, Stephen F. Austin 10

Throughout the 84-game history of the "Battle of the Piney Woods" there have been plenty of big plays. But perhaps the most stunning game-breaker came in 1996 meeting between Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin.

The Lumberjacks entered the game on a high, holding down a No. 4 NCAA Division I FCS national ranking with a 3-1 record after knocking off No. 3 Troy State 13-10. Sam Houston was down after dropping to 1-4 for the season following a loss at home to Texas Southern.

Then came Yohance Bree's go-ahead 71-yard fourth quarter punt return for a touchdown as Sam Houston State shocked the Lumberjacks 14-10 before 16,038, the third-largest crowd ever at Homer Bryce Stadium.

"A great team win for Sam Houston," Bearkats coach Ron Randleman said. "It's right at the top. Everybody in orange is feeling good right now."

Stephen F. Austin could not convert on third-down situations (1-for-13) or contain Bree in the final minutes of the Southland Football League rivalry.

Bree's punt return with 4:04 remaining erased the Lumberjacks' 10-7 advantage and snapped SFA's three-year winning streak against the Bearkats.

Bree, who had muffed a punt catch earlier in the contest, appeared stopped at his 40. But he shook off several defenders and made it to the end zone to propel the Bearkats to victory in their conference opener.

"We needed the big play," Bree said. "The only thing I was thinking about was getting in the end zone. I got to the end zone, and we got the win."

The win was as gratifying for the Bearkats (2-4, 1-0 Southland) as it was devastating to coach John Pearce's Lumberjacks (3-2, 1-1).

Each team had an open date last week, but the Bearkats were still trying to rebound from a 26-20 loss to TSU the week before while SFA was enjoying its 13-10 victory over Troy State.

"Two weeks ago we reached an all-time high, and today we reached an all-time low," said Pearce, whose Lumberjacks lost to an unranked team for the first time in four years - Pearce's first at SFA. "This is by far the lowest moment in my 27 years of coaching and at this program at SFA."

Even after Bree's heroics, the Lumberjacks had a chance to win.

Trailing 14-10, SFA got the ball back at its 20 with 1:10 remaining and no timeouts. The Lumberjacks eventually moved to Sam Houston State's 25 with 10 seconds left after Mike Quinn completed a 34-yard pass to Michael Pearce on fourth-and-eight.

With three seconds remaining in the game, Quinn dropped back to pass but was pressured by linebacker Matthew Chapman. Chapman hit Quinn as he threw, and the ball sailed harmlessly into the end zone as time expired.

Sam Houston State had two opportunities in the fourth quarter to tie the game before Bree's touchdown, but Marcus Hajdik, a senior from Scarborough, missed field-goal attempts of 42 and 50 yards.

"Things haven't gone our way and we missed a couple of field goals, but we kept our heads up and our guys hung in there," Randleman said.

Pat House rushed for a game-high 152 yards and a one-yard touchdown for SFA, which rushed for 229 yards but never could get its passing game going.

Quinn was pressured constantly by the Bearkats' front line and managed only 79 passing yards on eight of 21 attempts.

"We did a good job defensively, and we were able to generate enough offense to keep our defense off the field a little bit," Randleman said.

The victory was a true team effort. The fired-up Kat defense was led by Henry Cofer who made 11 tackles, a critical interception and two other pass break-ups to stall the Jacks.

Stellar performances by quarterback Chad Schramek and tight end Kevin Pesak sparked an effective offense.  Schramek completed 19 of 33 passes for 198 yards including a 28-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Kent. Pesak caught eight passes for 61 yards.

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.) Sam Houston spoils SFA Homecoming, title hopes -- Bearkats 6, Jacks 0 -- 1959 
9.)  Halloween victory paves way to national title  -- Bearkats 21, Jacks 8 -- 1964
10.) Kats grind out win on way to 8-win season -- Bearkats 25, Jacks 18 -- 1970
11.) SFA forced to share league title with Kats -- Bearkats 28, Jacks 21 -- 1985
12.) Last minute heroics earn SHSU league title -- Bearkats 30, Jacks 26 -- 1986
13.) Victory in first Southland Piney Woods battle -- Bearkats 31, Jacks 17 -- 1987
14.) Sam Houston wins see-saw Homecoming victory -- Bearkats 34, Jacks 23 -- 1992

Next Week - Kats knock off Top 10 Jack Team again in 1997