Amano a first-team I-AA pick

Although Eugene Amano was voted just second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference this year, Southeast Missouri State University offensive line coach Mike Chavez considered him not only one of the league's top offensive linemen, but also among the best in NCAA Division I-AA football.

Chavez wasn't exaggerating -- on Wednesday, Amano was selected a first-team Division I-AA All-American center by the American Football Coaches Association. He is one of just five offensive linemen on the squad.

"The honor is well deserved," Chavez said. "Eugene worked extremely hard, and I have said all along that he is probably one of the best centers in the nation. He has great overall athletic ability and outstanding strength."

Amano, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound senior who has been all-OVC the past three years, was surprised by the honor.

"It was pretty surprising because I didn't get first-team all-conference. I figured since I didn't get that, I had no chance for this," Amano said. "But I'm glad it happened. I felt I had a pretty good year, and I felt I deserved it."

Amano was one of Tim Billings' first recruits when he took over Southeast's program prior to the 2000 season. The native of San Pedro, Calif., became a starter at offensive guard midway through his freshman campaign and stayed in the lineup the rest of the way, although he moved to center as a junior.

"I felt moving to center was a good move," said Amano, who graded out at 97 percent on pass blocking and 91 percent on run blocking this year while averaging nine knock downs per game. "I think it will give me my best chance at the pro level."

Amano has visions of an NFL career and he hopes to follow in the footsteps of a Southeast first-team All-American from last season -- wide receiver Willie Ponder, who plays for the New York Giants.

"That's my dream, to play in the NFL," Amano said. "Right now I'm looking at hopefully finding an agent, somebody to represent me, and then I'll take it from there."

Billings believes Amano has a solid chance of reaching football's highest level.

"Eugene has the talent to play in the NFL," Billings said. "Hopefully he'll get an opportunity."

Amano, a criminal justice major who is about two semesters shy of graduating, recalls his four seasons playing football for the Indians with fondness.

"At first it was tough coming out here all the way from California, but it's funny how things worked out," he said. "My four years just flew by, and I really enjoyed it."

This season did not go the way the Indians had hoped -- the preseason OVC favorites after going 8-4 last year went just 5-7 and lost their final game to miss a share of the title -- but Amano is proud that he helped steer the program in the right direction.

"We turned the program around completely from when I got here," Amano said. "And even though we started off 0-5 this year, we showed a lot of heart to get to the last game and play for the championship."

Patterson honored again

Southeast junior cornerback Dimitri Patterson made another All-American list Wednesday when he was selected for the third team by The Associated Press.

Patterson, who had an OVC-leading six interceptions and 12 passes broken up this year, was selected a second-team All-American by The Sports Network earlier this week.