Redhawks ready for new beginning

Southeast's players are excited about the opportunity to exceed expectations.

Unlike the past two seasons, not much is expected -- at least by those outside the program -- from the Southeast Missouri State football team this year.

Which is just fine with the Redhawks, who began preseason practice Saturday evening at Houck Stadium.

"It's the best situation a team can go into the season with," junior All-American punter David Simonhoff said. "It's always a benefit when a team is underestimated."

In 2003, coming off an 8-4 record for the program's best mark since 1969, the Redhawks were the Ohio Valley Conference preseason favorite. Last year they entered the campaign picked fourth.

But now, two losing seasons later -- including a 3-8 record in 2004, which featured a 3-5 OVC ledger and a sixth-place tie -- Southeast has been tabbed No. 8 in the nine-team league.

"It's the best place to be [picked]," senior cornerback Kellin White said. "I think two years ago when we were picked No. 1, we got the big head. Now everybody is overlooking us. I love it."

White and Simonhoff both pointed to what appeared to be renewed enthusiasm during Saturday's spirited opening practice that lasted about 2 hours, 30 minutes.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm. I think that's something we lacked last year," White said. "Guys are ready to go."

Said Simonhoff: "It's a new start for us. Everybody is fired up and ready to go. We've got a lot of new [assistant] coaches, and it's like a new beginning for everybody."

Of course, it's easy to be excited and enthusiastic in the preseason, when no games have yet been played and no losses have yet been suffered.

That's why Southeast coach Tim Billings tempered his comments somewhat following the workout, although he was satisfied.

"We had a good first practice," he said. "I don't know how good we are, but nobody is going to outwork us. I think maybe we didn't work hard enough the last two years."

Added a smiling Billings: "There's always a lot of enthusiasm the first day. We have to make sure we keep it up."

Relatively mild weather certainly didn't hurt the atmosphere.

"It was really nice today," Billings said. "It sure could have been a lot hotter."

Saturday's workout was the first of five practices that have been designated "heat acclimation" days under third-year NCAA regulations aimed at cutting down on potential heat-related problems and tragedies.

During the first five practice days, the first two are in helmets only, the next two in helmets and shoulder pads and the fifth in full gear but with no contact. Teams can practice only once per day during those first five days of non-contact drills.

"You always want to be careful with the weather, but there weren't any problems today," Billings said.

Saturday's session consisted primarily of teaching, evaluating and conditioning, with plenty of emphasis on the wide-open passing game that is the cornerstone of Southeast's offense.

The Redhawks will continue practicing at 5:30 p.m. for the first five days, with twice-daily workouts beginning Thursday. Southeast will then work out twice every other day until school starts on Aug. 22. The opening game is Sept. 1 at home against Southern Illinois.