Lillard confident the offense will produce

Houston Lillard only played the opening two series during Southeast Missouri State's first scrimmage of spring football practice.

But Lillard looked to be in midseason form as he zipped accurate passes all over the field Saturday afternoon at Houck Stadium.

A smiling Lillard said it's no accident that he already looks so comfortable even though the start of the season is still more than four months away.

"Once you know what you have to do mentally, everything takes care of itself," Lillard said. "Last year really helped me."

Despite missing several weeks of action because of cracked ribs, Lillard had a solid 2007 in his first official season with the Redhawks.

A native of Oakland, Calif., Lillard completed 100 of 173 passes (57.8 percent) for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was intercepted six times.

Lillard ranked fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference in passing yards per game and sixth in total offense. He was third in passing efficiency.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Southeast quarterback Houston Lillard gestured to a teammate during practice Saturday at Houck Stadium.

Lillard said his confidence level is high after taking the reins of Southeast's quarterback position midway through last season.

"Most definitely," he said. "I got to throw the ball a lot last year."

About the only thing that has held Lillard back since he transferred to Southeast from Laney (Calif.) Community College is injuries.

Lillard actually came to Southeast before the 2006 campaign, but reinjured a knee during fall drills and sat out the season as a redshirt.

While his knee caused him no problems last year, the cracked ribs did.

But now Lillard said he feels fine.

"I feel the best since I've been here," Lillard said. "I hope I can stay healthy. If I can, I think we'll have a real good year."

Lillard began last season splitting time with junior college transfer Victor Anderson. But after Anderson was moved to safety midway through the year and Lillard's ribs healed, the job was all his.

Lillard, who is listed at 6 foot and 210 pounds, started six games, including the final four. Nine of his 10 TD passes came over the last four games.

"Houston looks good. He's accurate," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "And we have a nice corps of receivers, a good combination."

Among those receivers is sophomore Miles Edwards, who led the Redhawks as a true freshman by catching 34 passes while averaging 14.1 yards per reception. He scored a team-high seven touchdowns.

Lillard and Edwards hooked up for a TD on the first series of Saturday's scrimmage. Lillard stayed in for one more series and then let Southeast's other quarterbacks get work.

"I was only going to play the first series, but we scored so quick," Lillard said.

Lillard said he and Edwards have a good connection going, but he feels that way about Southeast's other receivers as well.

"I know Miles is a playmaker and we have a lot of good receivers," Lillard said.

Competing with Lillard for playing time are returning sophomores Steve Callanan and Jared Van Slyke — both saw limited action a year ago — along with junior college transfer Dustin Powell.

But barring something unusual — or more injury troubles — Lillard is a virtual lock to open the season behind center.

"He should be [the starter], if he takes care of business," Samuel said. "He's got the experience."

Lillard said he is taking nothing for granted as he focuses on improving his skills heading into his senior season.

"I want to work hard to keep getting better. They [Southeast[']s other quarterbacks] push me," Lillard said. "And we're all good friends on and off the field."

The offense hummed for the two series Lillard played Saturday, but did not look nearly as sharp when he left the field.

Lillard is confident he will continue to impressively direct the Redhawks' attack as they try to improve on last year's 3-8 record.

"Everything has slowed down for me now," Lillard said. "I'm real confident. ... I'm excited for the season."

Spring drills continue

Saturday's scrimmage counted as Southeast's seventh of 15 spring practice sessions allowed by the NCAA.

The Redhawks will continue to work out at 6 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the next two weeks leading up to their spring intrasquad game April 26 at 1 p.m.

Southeast will have another scrimmage at noon Saturday.

Samuel, who has a 7-15 record over his first two seasons at Southeast, said having a veteran squad has made spring workouts run relatively well.

"It doesn't look like the first couple of springs," he said. "Most of the guys we're counting on are here."