The Southeast Missouri State football team is led by coach Tom Matukewicz from the sidelines, but the team also needs leaders both on and off the field.

That is why Matukewicz and his coaching staff created a leadership council within the team itself.

The leadership council consists of 12 members of the football team. They lead the team in various ways and are voted on by the players. The first Redhawks' leadership council was elected during spring practice and another election was held prior to summer practices and again after fall camp.

One member of the leadership council is senior cornerback Reggie Jennings.

Jennings started every game at cornerback in 2013 after being redshirted as a freshman walk on in 2011. He made Southeast's Scholar Athlete and Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll last season.

In 2012, he also started every game and was a model of consistency with 39 tackles that season to go along with two interceptions.

Jennings has started all 10 games this season and compiled a total of 41 tackles so far and forced a fumble as well, but said that does not compare with being on the council.

"It's a really big honor," Jennings said. "That my teammates look to me in that way and consider me a leader."

Jennings' biggest game was in the 28-21 victory over Tennessee State when he recorded eight tackles and forced a fumble. But Jennings knows that with this significant responsibility, he must continue to lead.

"I have to continue to work hard and continue to lead by example if I want this team to succeed," Jennings said.

Jennings also realizes that he has learned a lot by being a member of the council, but that there are still things that he needs to learn.

"I've learned what it means to lead my teammates not only on the field but off the field as well," Jennings said.

Another member of the leadership council is senior offensive lineman Corey Porter. The starting left tackle from Sikeston, Missouri, started all 12 games for the Redhawks at center last season. His starting role at center began in 2012 where he started all 12 games for a Southeast rushing attack that led the OVC and was eighth nationally with 262 yards per game.

In 2013, he helped the Redhawks finish third in the Ohio Valley Conference in rushing yards at 203 per game.

This season, Porter has played in all 10 games and is one of the leaders on the offensive line, which has only allowed eight sacks in the games played so far. But this year, due to an injury to Ben Schmidt at the left tackle position, he was asked to move out of his comfort zone and protect quarterback Kyle Snyder's blind side.

Not only can Porter lead by example by changing positions, he also feels he can lead by speaking up.

"I lead by both actions and words," Porter said. "I lead by my actions on the field, but if something needs to be addressed outside, I will address the situation."

Porter believes his enthusiasm can motivate his teammates.

"I want my teammates to see the passion I play with," Porter said. "I hope it motivates them to play harder every game."

Porter thinks that being a leader means being there for his teammates and coaches.

"I want these guys to know I would do anything for them," Porter said.

Southeast's final games are at home with the next one being this Saturday against Austin Peay (1-9, 1-5). The last game that Jennings, Porter and the rest of the seniors will play in front of the home crowd at Houck Stadium is on Nov. 22 against Jacksonville State, which is 6-0 in OVC play.