3 takeaways from SEMO’s spring football game

Fans of the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks got their first taste of football in 2024 on Saturday.

The Rowdy Bowl Football Spring Game featured the Redhawks’ roster divided into two teams; Team Make My Cap (SEMO Black) coached by Cape Catfish president and director of baseball operations Glenn Campbell and Team Arnold Insurance (SEMO Red) coached by Marcus Harris.

Fans, coaches and players alike all have questions entering the fall, but Saturday’s contest brought some answers to those questions for the time being.

Below are three of my takeaways from the spring contest.

__Takeaway #1: Run game looks promising__

Much has been made about what the Redhawks' running game would look like with the departure of Geno Hess.

Some of those doubts were quieted relatively quickly in Saturday’s spring game.

On just the second drive for Team Make My Cap (SEMO Black), freshman running back Payton Brown broke free for a big touchdown run that excited the crowd and the SEMO Black sideline.

Brown’s impressive showing didn’t stop there, as he continued to impress, putting together aggressive runs for big chunks of yardage.

Brown, just a 17-year-old, found the end zone again in the first half, this time out of the wildcat, taking the direct snap and dashing for the three-yard score.

“He’s been impressive all spring,” Redhawks coach Tom Matukewicz said. “For a guy that can’t even buy a lottery ticket, he’s out here, and you can’t tell (he’s 17).”

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Brown’s spring game was his ability to remain focused.

On the first play from scrimmage, he fumbled, resulting in a touchdown for Team Arnold (SEMO Red).

“He responded well,” Matukewicz said. “That’s really hard for a young person. You come out here, and you’re all excited, and then you make a mistake. Sometimes, a mistake can keep beating you all game long, but it was nice to see him get past that.”

While it was Brown showing out for SEMO Black, it was Brandon Epton, Jr. impressing for SEMO Red.

Epton was dynamic, making defenders miss and stringing together big runs to get the offense going.

“I feel like offensively we still have a lot of firepower out there,” Matukewicz said. “I’m excited about that group.”

The reward for all of Epton’s hard work culminated in a touchdown run from the red zone as he tiptoed down the sideline for the score.

“I think our offensive line is really improved,” Matukewicz said. “To be able to come out and run the ball well was nice to see.”

__Takeaway #2: Paxton DeLaurent looks comfortable__

Senior quarterback Paxton DeLaurent was sharp in Saturday’s spring game.

DeLaurent threw for three touchdowns in SEMO Red’s 35-25 win and looked comfortable doing it.

“I thought he ran the offense well,” Matukewicz said. “He made a couple of really good plays.”

Coming off a 4-7 season, the Redhawks are leaning on DeLaurent to help lead them back to a winning record, and Saturday was a big step.

“At the end of the day, just don’t try to do too much,” Matukewicz said of what the team needs from DeLaurent. “He just needs to let the game come to him. We’ll have talented players around him.”

__Takeaway #3: Fans are excited for football__

Redhawks fans showed up in a big way on Saturday as everyone was eager to get a taste of football.

That support didn’t go unnoticed by the players on the field.

“We can’t thank the community enough,” DeLaurent said. “This is an amazing atmosphere, and to get back out there with the guys after getting hurt last year was an amazing feeling,”

DeLaurent said the energy the crowd brings serves as fuel for their group.

“We always preach intrinsic motivation,” DeLaurent said. “But, when you have extrinsic stuff like a crowd, it makes it so much easier.”

Matukewicz echoed DeLaurent’s thoughts on his appreciation for the crowd.

“I’m so thankful that SEMO football means enough to people to come out to the spring game,” Matukewicz said. “We’re going to turn this into a tradition along with the fifth quarter that we’re doing.”

The 2024 season officially begins on Saturday, August 24, when the Redhawks travel to Montgomery, Alabama, to take on North Alabama in the FCS Kickoff.