COSTLY PLAY—Southeastern tight end Luis Sobalvaro (white jersey) goes down after catching a short pass during Thursday’s situational scrimmage in Strawberry Stadium. Sobalvaro suffered a torn ACL injury to his left knee on the play and will be out for the rest of the season. Photo by John Lenz

Twice.

Lions coach Mike Lucas said Friday that both sophomore tight end Luis Sobalvaro and sophomore safety Jared Byers suffered devastating, season-ending knee injuries Thursday.

The injuries happened just five plays apart, prompting Lucas to curtail the rest of the situational scrimmage.

Sobalvaro was injured when he was tackled after catching a short pass in the flat near the goal line. Lucas said Sobalvaro, who was counted on as a defense-stretching pass catcher over the middle, suffered a torn ACL.

Byers' injury was equally severe, involving torn ligaments and a dislocated knee, Lucas said. Both players are expected to have surgery as early as this week.

Sobalvaro's injury leaves sophomore Cole Wardell (6-4, 237) to carry the load at tight end. Byers was part of a deep rotation at safety and was backing up Marquis Powell.

The Lions had a day off from practice on Saturday and will work one time today. Then they begin their game-week routine with another off day on Monday before beginning final preparations for next Saturday's season opener at Alcorn State at 5 p.m. in Lorman, Miss.

LION NOTES

LUCAS TO APPEAR IN N.O.

Lions head coach Mike Lucas will be one of four featured speakers as the New Orleans Quarterback Club begins its 73rd year on Monday with a luncheon at Harrah's Hotel (228 Poydras St.) in New Orleans.

Lucas, who begins his second year as head coach of the Lions, will be joined at the luncheon by Tulane head coach Bob Toledo, former Independence High coach and current LSU Coordinator of Football Charlie Baglio, and Jesuit High coach Wayde Keiser.

Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and cost of the luncheon for non-members is $20. All parking is free in the adjacent Harrah's Parking Garage.

For more information, contact Stan Kottemann, Jr., at (504) 908-6080 or e-mail at skotlaw@aol.com.

FAN BUS INFORMATION

Due to an editing error, the price for the fan bus ride to Southeastern's road games this season was listed incorrection in the Friday Daily Star.

The cost for the charter begins at $30 per seat for the Lions' regular-season finale at Nicholls State on Nov. 20. For games at Alcorn State, Mississippi State and Louisiana Tech, the price is $50 per seat. The Oct. 11 game at Stephen F. Austin is $60 with the Oct. 25 game at Central Arkansas $80 and the Nov. 15 contest at Sam Houston State $70.

Fans are responsible for securing game tickets by calling the Southeastern Ticket Office at (985) 549-LION or the host institution's ticket office. All minors, ages 17 and younger, must be accompanied by and adult or guardian.

Reservations must be confirmed and payment received by 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday prior to each game. Payment will be by check or money order only. Please make checks payable to the Lion Athletic Association.

For more information, contact Anna Woodall at (985) 549-2395.