Position of strength: Southeast returns horde of talent at wide receiver

The position of wide receiver stands out in terms of returning production on a Southeast Missouri State football team that brings back quite a bit of experience.

"You have to be on top of your game every day [in practice] because the next guy can step up," senior Walter Peoples said. "I think we're one of the strongest groups on the team."

Based on statistics, Peoples has a point.

No unit welcomed back more returning production -- four of last year's top receivers were underclassmen. That group combined to nab 139 of Southeast's 211 receptions.

"We've got a lot of receivers, and we're all capable," senior Brad Stewart said. "I think we're pretty talented at receiver."

Peoples tops the list at wideout as he had a breakout 2008 season, his first as a full-time receiver. He caught 65 passes for 903 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 13.9 yards per reception. He led the Ohio Valley Conference in receiving yards and made the all-OVC second team.

"I was very surprised [by last year[']s numbers]," said Peoples, who came to Southeast as a defensive rover before moving to offense midway through his sophomore season in 2007.

Asked if he might be able to surpass his junior statistics this year, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Peoples said that's not a priority.

"I just want to come out and have a successful team," said Peoples, who caught just five passes in 2007. "It's not about me. It's not about one person."

Miles Edwards, a 6-3, 195-pound junior, was Southeast's second-leading receiver last year as he caught 31 passes for 432 yards (13.9 average) and three touchdowns.

That came after a freshman season in 2007 that saw Edwards lead the Redhawks with 34 receptions for 480 yards (14.1 average) and seven touchdowns as he made the OVC's all-newcomer team.

"There's a lot of competition [among the receivers]," Edwards said. "We use a lot of four-wides so there are a lot of spots. But you have to be ready."

Chantae Ahamefule, a 6-6, 215-pound sophomore, was No. 4 on the 2008 Redhawks with 22 receptions for 326 yards (14.8 average) and two touchdowns. He came on strong down the stretch as a redshirt freshman.

"I just want to get better every day," Ahamefule said. "We all love to compete. We push each other and we get better that way."

Stewart was putting together a strong year before suffering a season-ending knee injury during the sixth game at Jacksonville State. He still caught 21 passes, fifth on the squad, for 256 yards (12.2 average) and a touchdown.

"It was hard to deal with but I had to bounce back," said the 6-0, 190-pound Stewart, who caught 16 passes in 2007.

Stewart said he is displaying no ill effects from the torn ACL that required surgery.

"I feel good," he said. "I'm good to go."

Peoples said Stewart's return gives the receiving corps a boost.

"He's an explosive player and he works hard," Peoples said.

He said hard work is a trait that all of Southeast's receivers have, not just the four top returnees, but also several youngsters pushing for playing time, including promising redshirt freshman Cedric Cox.

"We work hard and we like to block," Peoples said. "That's a big emphasis for us, blocking."

Even though the Redhawks will have a relatively inexperienced quarterback this year -- projected regular Matt Scheible started just two games as a true freshman in 2008 -- the receivers expect to continue their productivity.

"We've got a whole lot of confidence in Matt," Stewart said.