Players report, golf tournament raises funds in busy weekend for Southeast Missouri State football

It's been a busy 24 hours for the Southeast Missouri State football program.

The team's 25 newcomers reported for summer workouts on Sunday before the Redhawks' third annual Brick-by-Brick Golf Tournament took place on Monday.

"Packing it all into one day," Southeast coach Tom Matukewicz said with a laugh. "... It's just an exciting time in their life. Any kid's dream is to go to college, let alone be a Division I football player. It was just a neat day to get to be a part of that. You start to feel pretty good about yourself when you look at the class all in one room."

Matukewicz was ready for the "food and fellowship" at the fundraising event -- the only one that directly benefits the football program. The third-year coach relishes the chance to speak with the program's supporters and share his vision.

After three consecutive three-win seasons, the Redhawks went 5-7 (3-5 Ohio Valley Conference) in 2014 and 4-7 (3-4 OVC) in 2015. Matukewicz has never shied away from his goal to compete for an OVC title by Year 3 and compete on a national level by Year 5.

Players head out for the Brick by Brick Football Golf Tournament on Monday.

"You're selling your program and your kids. That's been easy to do here," Matukewicz said.

"People are just dying for a winner and want to be a part of things. At the end of the day, you're just trying to give them something to be proud of."

There were 37 four-person teams that competed at the inaugural golf tournament in 2014, which allowed the players to be furnished with more gear than they had in the past.

Last year there were 40 teams, and money went toward a video editing system for the program.

Matukewicz said there were more than 40 teams for this year's event, which was held at Bent Creek Golf Course and was sponsored by Montgomery Bank and Rhodes 101.

Wall graphics and other improvements to the team's locker room and team meeting room at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex will be paid for with the proceeds.

"It's just painted brick walls, so we're going to try to get it up to speed with some of the OVC schools that we're recruiting against," Matukewicz said.

A silent auction, which included a jersey autographed by Southeast star receiver Paul McRoberts, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in April, also raised funds for the program.

"We just are humbled by the support of the community," Matukewicz said.

Knight recognized

Southeast punter Alex Knight picked up some preseason recognition on Monday.

Knight was named a second-team preseason Football Championship Subdivision All-American by Football Gameplan.

Knight, whose senior season will commence at Memphis on Sept. 3, was a second-team all-conference selection as a junior. The Boca Raton, Florida, native, punted 64 times for 2,867 yards and ranked fifth in the FCS with an OVC-leading 44.8 yards per punt. He had punts of 50 or more yards 18 times and had three punts of 60 yards or more. Twenty-nine of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line.

He was one of 84 players selected to the preseason list and one of five from the Ohio Valley Conference.

Jacksonville State, the two-time defending OVC champion and FCS national championship runner-up, had two players on the list. Senior offensive lineman Casey Dunn was a first-team offensive selection and senior quarterback Eli Jenkins was a second-team offensive selection.

Tennessee State senior offensive lineman Jessamen Dunker was named to the second-team offense, and Tennessee Tech defensive back Malek Hall was named to the third-team defense.