QB shortage to change nature of Redhawks' scrimmage

Only one fully healthy quarterback and some nagging injuries means Southeast Missouri State won't hold its normal intrasquad game to conclude spring practice.

But fans are still invited to Houck Stadium Saturday when the Redhawks wrap up spring drills with a scrimmage at 6:30 p.m. The scrimmage will mark Southeast's 15th and final workout of the spring, as allowed under NCAA guidelines.

"Luckily, we really haven't had any serious type injuries this spring," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "But with only one quarterback, and because of some injuries that have left us thin at certain positions, it's just going to be a scrimmage, a situational thing, not really one team against another.

"We'll go through different phases of a football game and different situations, as far as being ahead or behind, the start of a half, 2-minute drills, overtime, that kind of thing."

Added Billings: "I think fans can still have a good time, and hopefully a lot of them will come out. They can get to hopefully see some of the stars of the future."

While the Redhawks have only one totally healthy quarterback right now, Billings said he feels good about that position entering the fall -- even though it lacks Division I-AA experience.

Mike Haley, who attempted just 15 passes last year as a junior, is projected as the starter, and Billings has been impressed with his play this spring.

The other quarterback on hand, junior college transfer Kevin Ballatore, was second nationally in passing yardage (3,029) and touchdowns (35) last season at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Community College, but he has been limited to non-contact work this spring as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

"Mike has had a good spring. We're pretty excited about him. We think he's got a lot of tools," Billings said. "Kevin has a lot of ability and he'll be ready to go in the fall. We've also got two freshman quarterbacks coming in the fall that we're excited about. I feel pretty good about our quarterback situation."

Among the more notable players who have been banged up this spring are punter David Simonhoff (ankle), tailback Elton Peterson (leg), offensive lineman Taurean Robinson (shoulder), and defensive backs Marco Tipton (ankle) and Mike Miller (hamstring).

Simonhoff, an All-American last year when he ranked second nationally in punting with a 46-yard average, has been out virtually all spring.

"It's more of a precautionary thing," Billings said. "He'll be fine for the fall, as will those other guys."

There have been a few position changes this spring, the most notable being Jamel Oliver -- a key tailback the last two seasons when he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards -- being moved back to wide receiver, which he played as a freshman.

"We feel good about running back, so we've moved Jamel back to receiver," Billings said. "We think he can give us a lot of speed there."

Also, former Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School star Adam Casper has moved from fullback to linebacker, while Brandon Colar has moved from linebacker to safety.

Overall, Billings said he has been pleased with spring workouts as the Redhawks have tried to lay the groundwork for a bounce-back 2005 season, after they went 3-8 last year.

"It's gone good. I've been pleased," Billings said. "Everybody was disappointed with last season, but I think there is an opportunity for us to be a lot better."