3 takeaways from Week 2 of SEMO Spring Practice

Spring practice continues for the Southeast Missouri State football team at Houck Field. The Redhawks had their first inter-squad scrimmage this past Saturday and are halfway past Week 2 of practices.

The theme of the spring has been integrating the newcomers and sort out the competition for who will be in position to replace receiver Ryan Flournoy and running back Geno Hess by training camp.

Here are three takeaways from SEMO spring practice so far:

__Dorian Anderson’s reintroduction__

Senior wide receiver Dorian Anderson played six games and caught 10 passes for 91 years last season for the Redhawks. In what seems as wide open competition, Anderson is making an early case for more playing time this fall.

“I really thought he had a really nice scrimmage,” SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz said. “That’s a guy that I felt had a really good winter and start to spring ball.

Prior to SEMO, Anderson played at Shorter University of the Division II ranks. There, he played a total of 18 games over two years, collecting 51 receptions for 759 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Matukewicz said he’s hoping Anderson emerges as a player ready to assume Flournoy’s former role as quarterback Paxton DeLaurent’s top target.

“He’s certainly got the talent,” Matukewicz said. “He’s got the size.”

__Grad transfers looking to master the SEMO system__

The 2024 Redhawks spring roster consists of seven grad students to go with their 17 seniors. Matukewicz sees the value of veteran players coming to SEMO with a degree at hand.

“I just think 20-23-year-olds just got a lot more life figured out than the 18-year-olds,” Matukewicz said. So it’s nice to have those veterans.”

Among the graduate newcomers is wide receiver Tate Crane, who caught a deep pass for a touchdown during practice on Tuesday, March 26. Crane arrived to SEMO from Division II Truman State, where he played in 34 career games amassing 102 receptions for 1,232 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Another grad student new to SEMO is linebacker Jared Pedraza, who joins the Redhawks after totaling 209 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 37 career games at Northwestern State.

__Replacing Geno Hess__

The biggest shoe to fill is the starting running back position, left by the most productive running back in the history of both the school and the Ohio Valley Conference.

SEMO brought in a running back with FBS experience to potentially fill the role. Brandon Epton, Jr. transferred in from junior college power Hutchinson Community College after starting his college career at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. The Dallas native rushed for 535 yards and five touchdowns this past fall.

“Branden has done a nice job and he was one that had a nice Saturday scrimmage also, Matukewicz said. “He’s right there at the top.”

The Redhawks will have their spring game on Saturday, April 20, at Houck Field.