HAMMOND, La.  – When the Southeastern Louisiana football team hosts No. 6 Jacksonville State next Thursday at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium, the Lions will feature perhaps its deepest and most versatile tight end group in recent memory.
 
Bransen Schwebel returns after earning first team All-Southland Conference honors a season ago and teams with junior Damien Dawson to give SLU a versatile tandem. Newcomer Matt DeBlaiso is expected to provide another talented pass-catching option, while Tanner Olsen adds quality depth.
 
Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo has touted the tight end position as one of the team's strengths. Second-year assistant Ross Jenkins, who works with the tight ends, as well as serving as the special teams and recruiting coordinator, shares Scelfo's optimism.
 
"We've really bonded well as a position group and are all working together towards the same goal," Jenkins commented. "The competition has been good for all of us and we're pushing each other to be better each day."
 
Schwebel and Dawson play vastly different roles and complement each other well. Schwebel hauled in 30 passes for 484 yards and three touchdowns in a breakout junior campaign, while Dawson has been one of the team's top blockers in his two years out of Franklinton High School.
 
"Damien's had a phenomenal fall camp and is playing at his highest level right now," Jenkins said. "Bransen's always been a good receiver, but he's improving in every aspect, including his run blocking. Those two have put the work in and helped elevate our entire group."
 
DeBlaiso has caught Scelfo's eye since transferring in during the spring out of Nassau Community College. The 6-4, 235-pound Seaford, New York native provides another talented target for SLU quarterback Chason Virgil.
 
"Matt's been a great addition to our team," Jenkins continued. "He's brought it every day and isn't going to be out-worked. The work he's put in has shown and he's become a significant part of our offense. We're really pleased with our entire group's progress and we just have to continue working hard to improve."
 
The fall semester opens on Wednesday, meaning the Lions will begin practicing at 3:30 p.m.  
 
SEASON TICKETS
For season ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. The Lions open their home schedule versus No. 6 Jacksonville State on Aug. 29, before welcoming Southland Conference foes Lamar (Sept. 21), UIW (Oct. 12), Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 2) and Nicholls (Nov. 21).
 
2019 PROMOTIONS
For full details on promotions surrounding the Southeastern Louisiana football team's 2019 home schedule visit www.LionSports.net/FootballPromos.
 
INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN FOOTBALL WITH FRANK SCELFO
Inside Southeastern Football With Frank Scelfo will debut on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Tope La Catering in downtown Hammond. Hosted by Scelfo, the Lions' second-year head coach, and Allen Waddell, the hour-long show will air weekly from Tope La Catering, located at 113 East Thomas Street. 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. 18 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 The Boss 103.7 FM/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 at www.youtube.com/sluathletics.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @SLUFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
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 letter winners.
 
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 laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.