Georgia Southern may have to practice on Thanksgiving – the Eagles begin the 2012 Football Championship Subdivision playoffs on Dec. 1 at Paulson Stadium against Central Arkansas – but that didn’t stop the team from giving thanks during the holiday week.

Boyd Sasser, linebacker — "I’m thankful for my family. They’ve been extremely supportive throughout my stay here. They’ve made it to so many games I didn’t think they’d be able to come to – family from Augusta and Atlanta. Just to have them sacrifice their time to come and enjoy what I get to do, I know they enjoy it as much as I do. It really makes all the work and all the sweat worth it."

J.J. Wilcox, safety — "I’m thankful for a lot of stuff. I’m thankful to be alive, I’m thankful to be able to play college football, I’m thankful for the family I have, and I get to play at Georgia Southern. I could go on down the list. I’m just thankful to be where I’m at now, and hopefully I can keep being successful and keep making my family proud."

Brett Gilliland, wide receivers coach — "I’m thankful for the good Lord’s grace and mercy, I’m thankful for my lovely wife and two beautiful kids, I’m thankful to be out here coaching the best group of kids I’ve ever had, I’m thankful to be part of this awesome coaching staff, and to be at Georgia Southern."

Johnathan Bryant, slotback — "Oh man, I’m thankful for my family and everything they’ve done for me. My mom, if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be here, I mean literally, the things she sacrificed for me, to get me in school, I’m so thankful for her."

Dion Dubose, defensive end — "I’m thankful to God, first of all. I’m thankful to be alive and for the opportunity to play the game of football after the injuries I’ve been through. Family, friends and being around the football team to keep me motivated, I’m thankful to be in the playoffs, I’m thankful for – man, I could go all day."

Blake DeBartola, offensive lineman — "My family has really supported me while I’m down here at school. I’m thankful for the playoffs, to try to make one more run at it for my last, senior year."

Jeff Monken, head coach — "I’m so grateful to have a loving and forgiving God and a Savior who loves me despite all my shortcomings as a person. I have a great family, my wife and three beautiful children, they’re a joy to me in my life. I’m grateful to be a part of the lives of these young men and to be here at Georgia Southern. I’m truly blessed."