Dunaway will play for Indians

Central High School senior Mark Dunaway has decided to follow in his brother's footsteps and play football for Southeast Missouri State University.

Dunaway, a 6-foot, 175-pounder, was Central's leading receiver last season, catching 35 passes for 687 yards and six touchdowns. He also excelled on defense in the secondary with 12 passes broken up, one interception and 35 tackles.

Dunaway's older brother, Andy, was a four-year wide receiver at Southeast from 1998 through 2001, progressing from a walk-on to a key performer. He finished his career at Southeast with 37 receptions.

"I'm very excited," Mark Dunaway said. "I remember watching my brother play there and thinking how fun it would be to be on that field, in the atmosphere, and now I actually get to do it."

Southeast coach Tim Billings said Dunaway, a strong student, will receive quite a bit of academic scholarship money and he will also be on a partial athletic scholarship.

"We're really happy to have Mark in our program," Billings said. "I think he's a heck of a football player and he's really going to be able to help us, either at wide receiver or defensive back."

Dunaway said he'll let the coaches decide what position will be best for him at Southeast, but he gave a nod to the Indians' wide-open offense.

"That offense, the way they spread the field out, is what I want to be a part of," he said.