Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Team predicted to finish eighth in Ohio Valley Conference

Tuesday, August 27, 2013
The Southeast football team gathers around for a talk after practice on Aug. 20.Photo by Alyssa Brewer

The Southeast Missouri State University football team must overcome the adversity of losing starters and a low preseason ranking in order to be successful during the 2013 season.

The Redhawks lost eight defensive starters, a running back who gained more than 1,300 yards and three offensive linemen, but the Redhawks seem unaffected by all of this heading toward their first game of the season.

Last year the Redhawks' finished 3-8. This year, Southeast was picked to finish eighth in the preseason Ohio Valley Conference poll.

"We really never pay attention to those preseason rankings," Southeast defensive coordinator Brian Mohnsen said. "The biggest thing for our guys is just to come out, work hard and keep trying to improve every day. In any position, any team in the nation doesn't make a difference. It's what's between the lines that counts."

Reggie Jennings tackles a teammate during practice on Aug. 20. Photo by Alyssa Brewer

Some of the notable starters that will not return this year are running back Levi Terrell, who rushed for 1,349 yards on 231 carries and scored six touchdowns, all-American linebacker Blake Peiffer, who had 117 tackles and two forced fumbles and first team all-OVC safety Tylor Brock, who had 81 tackles, four interceptions and one forced fumble last season. The Redhawks also will replace their entire starting defensive line as they lost last year's starters Alonzo Nevarez, Taylor Ramsey, Joe Malolo and Justin Love to graduation.

"We only concern ourselves with the people we have," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "What you don't have you can't worry about. There's always somebody in the ranks waiting to get the opportunity to play, and that's where you'll find out you will get some new household names from here on out. We feel like we're very athletic on both sides of the ball, and we're counting on that to make up for lack of experience if we have any."

Spencer Davis receives the ball during practice on Aug. 20. Photo by Alyssa Brewer

Quaterback Kyle Snyder, who tore his ACL before the season even started last year, returned to the team this season and named the starter quaterback. He was locked in a position battle with returning OVC Freshman of the year Scott Lathrop and sophomore Blake Jackson, who also saw playing time last season.

"We're working on reading defenses and working on putting ourselves in a good situation every play," Lathrop said. "If you put yourself and your teammates in a good position then you're going to have a good chance of being successful."

Also returning this season are wide receivers Spencer Davis and D.J. Foster who combined for 714 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Southeast opens the season with three important games, the season opener against Southeastern Louisiana, a game at Ole Miss and the first football game played at the new Busch Stadium against Southern Illinois University.

"It doesn't matter who the opponent is," Mohnsen said. "Our whole objective is to make sure we play with great effort, and we take care of our alignment, our assignments, our techniques and our efforts. That's football. You can't decide how you're going to play against somebody because of their size, the color of their uniform or the name of their school. It's an opponent."

The Redhawks will play their first game of the season against Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Hammond, La.

"First game you always have to prepare for a little bit more," Samuel said. "There's no comparison to the previous year. They may want to add a few little wrinkles, but just from the nuts and bolts of it, we've been working on their scheme."

Comments