AREA PRODUCTS HOPE TO ERASE QUESTION MARK

A rebuilt offensive line might be regarded as one of the question marks regarding Southeast Missouri State University's football team this season.

But two local products who will be among the anchors of the line are confident their group will be able to hold up its end of the bargain for the Indians' offense in 1999.

Chris Kiefer of Perryville and Chad King of Fredericktown, along with Ian Walters, are by far the most experienced members of the Indians' offensive line, whose other members are underclassmen.

Kiefer, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound senior, and King, a 6-2, 300-pound senior, both are looking for good things from the O-line as well as the Indians this year.

"I think we've got a real good looking line this year," said Kiefer, who has been moved to right tackle after starting at center the past two years. "We've got a couple of people banged up right now, but we'll get them back."

One of those banged up is King, who suffered a concussion in practice earlier this week and was held out of a few workouts.

"I don't think the line is a question mark at all," said King, who will start at left guard after being a part-time starter for the past several seasons. "I think we look good."

Southeast head coach John Mumford considers Kiefer and King to be among some of his main leaders on the entire team and not just the offensive line.

"They've been around for a while," Mumford said. "They're excellent leaders who have taken the bull by the horns."

Kiefer and King both hope improved team chemistry will help lead to a turnaround season for the Indians, who went 3-8 last year.

"We're more of a team this year than we have been since I've been here," Kiefer said. "Our goal is to be on one heartbeat. We're excited."

Said King, "Everybody is working hard together. Everybody has made a big commitment. I think we'll surprise some people."

* Eighteen players from area high schools, including Kiefer and King, are listed on the Indians' roster.

From Cape Central are quarterback Bobby Brune, wide receiver Andy Dunaway, linebacker Tatum Kitchen and defensive end Ben Lowrance.

Jackson products are safety John Smith, quarterback Mike Gross, running back Devree Flint and defensive end Kent Langston.

From Scott City are linebackers Jeremy Mouser and Steven Thomas while kicker Luke McKinnis hails from Fredericktown.

Other locals are running back Mark Blissett (Sikeston); linebacker Andy Cisne and offensive lineman Eric Carlson (Poplar Bluff); linebacker Tyson Gooch (Kennett); and linebacker Cedric Webb (East Prairie).

Brune and Smith are, like Kiefer and King, returning starters. Dunaway saw a lot of action last year.

Smith, Kiefer and King are the only seniors among the bench. The rest are freshmen and sophomores, with several of them walkons.

* Southeast's coaching staff has a slightly different look this season.

Returning as assistants are Charles Sabbatini, in his seventh season as defensive coordinator; Steve Schottel, in his third season as offensive coordinator; David Dumars, in his 11th season as secondary coach; and Ron Hudson, in his second season as offensive line coach.

Don Brown, in his third season on the staff, moves from a part-time assignment as receivers coach to the new running backs coach, replacing Roscoe Echols, who left for a job at Western Kentucky, his alma matter.

Rory Segrest takes over as defensive line coach in place of Jay Thomas, who is now at Nicholls State. Segrest was a starting offensive lineman on Alabama's 1992 national championship team.

New graduate assistant coaches will include Jorge Munoz, who will work with the receivers, and Craig Knaak, who will work with the defensive ends. Knaak has been an assistant coach at Perryville High School the past few years.

* The Indians will sport bright new red jerseys for their home games this season after wearing black jerseys for the past few years.