Indians vs. Gamecocks- Winner take all

Southeast Missouri State University's football team consists of 14 seniors. Two of them -- linebacker Ricky Farmer and center Eugene Amano -- have been starters ever since coach Tim Billings began his reclamation project four years ago.

Farmer and Amano would like nothing better than to end their careers with an Ohio Valley Conference title and in the playoffs, which would be firsts at the school.

They'll have that opportunity today when 19th-ranked Jacksonville State visits Houck Stadium for a 1 p.m. regular-season finale that will serve as an OVC showdown.

To the winner goes the OVC's automatic Division I-AA playoff berth. Jacksonville State (7-3, 6-1) leads the league while Southeast (5-6, 5-2) is one game back.

A victory for the Gamecocks, who have clinched at least a tie for the OVC championship, will give them the title outright.

A triumph by the Indians will give them a share of their first OVC crown, but because of beating Jacksonville State -- and also because of a previous win over Eastern Kentucky, which could also tie for the title -- also earn the playoff berth.

"It's going to be the biggest game we've played in the four years I've been here," Farmer said. "This is something we've been waiting for."

Said Amano, "This is what we have worked for the past four years, to be in this situation."

Crucial roles for the Indians

While many of the 14 seniors have been crucial in aiding Southeast's remarkable turnaround the past two seasons -- including last year's 8-4 finish -- Farmer and Amano are the lone four-year regulars. They both broke into the lineup midway through their freshman seasons.

Now they'll have a chance to help put Southeast into the playoffs for the first time. Although the Indians won several MIAA titles as a Division II program, the latest in 1977, there was no postseason play at that time.

"Being in the first of coach Billings' recruiting classes, it was a goal of ours to help turn the program around," Amano said.

Farmer and Amano were both second-team all-OVC last year and have been among the best at their positions the past several seasons. This year, Farmer is second on the team in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (3), and leads in fumble recoveries (3), the latter figure ranking second in the OVC. He is tied for first in the league in fumbles forced (3).

"They've been great players for us the last four years," Billings said. "They were two of our first recruits and they've helped us turn this thing around."

Billings knows the seniors, along with the rest of the Indians, will have to come up big if Southeast is going to knock off the Gamecocks, who are also seeking their first I-AA playoff berth, although they won the 1992 Division II national title.

Jacksonville State has posted five straight wins. The Gamecocks own the league's top-ranked rushing attack and No. 1 rushing defense. Tailback Kory Chapman has gained 1,172 yards and averages 6.5 yards per carry while quarterback Maurice Mullins has rushed for 528 yards and thrown for 863 yards.

"They're a great football team, the most talented in the OVC," Billings said. "We're going to have to play our best game of the year to beat them."

Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe also has plenty of respect for the Indians, who have won five of their last six games after an 0-5 start.

"They are an excellent football team," Crowe said. "I expect us to be going into a hostile environment. It will be as big of a challenge as we have ever had."