Female intuition- SE will win OVC

Magazines around the country have weighed in on who they think will win the Ohio Valley Conference football crown this season.

Saturday night at the Show Me Center, several area female football fans gave their opinions on Southeast Missouri State University's chances at the third annual Southeast women's football clinic.

"This team is taking me to the conference" title, said Monica Metzger, who has followed the program for nearly 20 years. "I was promised a conference ring, and I'm going to get it."

Following an 8-4 season, Southeast's expectations are at an unprecedented high since joining Division I-AA. The team already has been picked in some polls to win the OVC, and the league's coaches and sports information directors will announce their vote Monday.

"We're going all the way," Margaret Henneke of Perryville said.

Much of the enthusiasm of the female football fans lies with Southeast coach Tim Billings and his staff.

"I think they have a good coach," Kaye Huebel said.

"He's got some of the most highly intelligent guys on his staff," Metzger added.

Meeting challenges

One of Southeast's biggest challenges will be replacing receiver Willie Ponder, who was drafted by the Giants in the sixth round of the NFL draft.

"I think the quarterback and the receiver always have to connect," Henneke said. "I think they'll still be able to do it, but that's where they need to start."

Southeast's road to an OVC title will not come without a fight. Murray State and Eastern Illinois are the defending co-champions, Tennessee Tech has a good portion of its team back and Eastern Kentucky has been near the top in recent years.

"You've got Murray; they're always tough," Metzger said. "Anything can happen at any given time."

Henneke said Tennessee Tech could cause Southeast problems, too. Those teams meet Nov. 15.

"I think it's going to be Tennessee Tech," she said.

Besides just exchanging their confidence in the upcoming Southeast season, the group of 40 women in attendance got a chance to learn football's finer points from the Indians' coaching staff.

"There are a lot of ladies that want to learn more about the game," said Tony Joe White, a Southeast assistant coach and event coordinator.

The clinic offered door prizes from area businesses along with classroom like lessons on offensive and defensive strategy.

"It's a networking opportunity for us and for them," White said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171