From the Vault: 71-yard punt return for Bree
10/3/2018 4:39:00 PM | Football, Bearkat Sports Network
For our From the Vault feature, we are going to have daily features heading into this week's Battle of the Piney Woods game as we take a look at some key moments in the history of the rivalry, which the Kats currently hold a seven game win streak over the Lumberjacks.
There have been plenty of big moments in history of the game, but maybe none more shocking than the 1996 contest in Nacogdoches.
The Lumberjacks entered the game on a high, holding down a No. 4 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."
This year's game will kickoff at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6. To purchase tickets visit www.gobearkats.com/pineywoods
