Local players hope to contribute to Southeast Missouri State football team

Editor's note: The following story has been edited to correct the spelling of Luke Stevens' name.

~ Southeast has five players who played high school football at local schools

The Southeast Missouri State football team has one player from the immediate area who appears assured of solid playing time.

Several other local products are attempting to make their mark with the Redhawks as walk-ons.

"I always felt you want to give a local kid an opportunity, if they want to walk on," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "These are young kids ... you never know how they're going to develop."

CB, Sr., Central (Cantrell Andrews)

Cantrell Andrews, a senior cornerback from Central High School, proved to be a valuable member of Southeast's secondary during his first season with the Redhawks last year.

Andrews, who began his collegiate career at NAIA Missouri Valley College before transferring to Southeast, made three starts and played in eight games during an injury-plagued 2012 season.

Andrews had 19 tackles and three pass breakups while tying for second on the team with two forced fumbles. He also recovered a fumble.

"He did a good job for us last year, but he was a little bit banged up," Samuel said.

Andrews said a bum knee took its toll on him a year ago, but offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus has him feeling fine for the most part these days.

TB, RS-Fr., Chaffee (Tyson Estes)

"I'm healthy and I'm more focused than last year," said Andrews, a 5-foot-9, 180-pounder who originally came to Southeast as a walk-on before earning a scholarship.

Andrews said playing for his home town university is almost like a dream come true.

"You can't beat it," he said with a smile. "I have people coming up to me, saying keep it up, that they enjoy watching me play."

Southeast has four walk-ons who played high school football in the Southeast Missourian coverage area. None are assured of seeing the field much, but all are happy to be on the squad.

Having the best chance of contributing are two players in their second year with the program.

TE, Fr., Jackson (Stephen Dunn)

Sophomore wide receiver Garett Schaefer from Scott City had a solid spring and even caught the winning touchdown pass during Southeast's spring game.

The diminutive Schaefer, listed on Southeast's official roster as 5-7 and 127 pounds -- he said that's accurate -- redshirted at Southeast in 2011 after playing tailback at Scott City. He got in one game last year but compiled no statistics.

"I'm very excited. I've been looking forward to it [the season] since spring ball," Schaefer said. "I'm putting my work in, I definitely want to get on the field. But I just want to help the team any way I can on and off the field."

Redshirt freshman tailback Tyson Estes from Chaffee also served notice during the spring that he might be able to help the Redhawks, although Southeast appears well-stocked at that position with three returning scholarship tailbacks who figure to receive the bulk of the carries.

"I enjoy it here. I've learned a lot of good stuff from the older guys," said Estes, a muscular and compact 5-7, 185-pounder who practiced with the 2012 Redhawks while redshirting. "If I get to play some, that's good. If not, I just want to keep learning."

TE, Fr., Jackson (Luke Stevens)

First-year local walk-ons are true freshmen Stephen Dunn and Luke Stevens, both from Jackson.

Dunn and Stevens played along the line for the Indians last year but are listed as tight ends for the Redhawks.

"I'm just putting in 100 percent and hoping for the best," said Dunn, listed as 6-3 and 228 pounds.

Said the 6-4, 237-pound Stevens: "I hope to get on the field ... but I just want to get stronger and learn the game better."

There could be one additional local walk-on competing for the Redhawks this year.

Morgan Johnson, a kicker and punter from Jackson, is listed on the current roster but is not with the team during fall camp. He is expected in when classes begin Monday but still must be cleared eligibility-wise.

Johnson kicked for the College of the Redwoods in California after graduating from Jackson in 2010.

"They're all working hard," Samuel said about the local walk-ons currently in fall camp. "We'll see how they fit in."