Redhawks, rest of nation get ready for football season

You know it's getting close -- real close -- to the start of Southeast Missouri State's football season when the team already is done with fall camp.

That's where the Redhawks stand as they continue gearing up for the Sept. 3 opener against Division II Quincy.

School begins today, meaning now the Redhawks revert to a once-per-day, afternoon practice schedule following classes.

Of course, with the NCAA putting in numerous heat-related practice restrictions designed for player safety -- a wise move -- two-a-day sessions aren't what they used to be anyway.

Southeast was limited to five two-a-days during fall camp, which elicited a grin from Southeast coach Tony Samuel as we spoke following a recent practice.

Not that Samuel was complaining; it's just that he was thinking back to his old Nebraska football days during the mid-1970s when two-a-days were all the rage.

Two-a-days or not, the college football season -- not just Southeast's but everywhere else around the country, big-time and small-time -- is just about upon us.

I don't know about you, but I'm fired up.

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A couple more quick Southeast football notes:

The game-day locker room, part of the new student dormitory that was constructed just beyond the west end zone of Houck Stadium, is a major upgrade from the Redhawks having to use the gym in the Student Recreation Center South, across the street from Houck Stadium.

Also, for the second straight season, there will be a small temporary scoreboard at Houck Stadium. The original scoreboard came down last year because of the dorm construction and Southeast officials hoped to have a new scoreboard is place for 2009, but it didn't happen.

Southeast athletic director John Shafer said Houck definitely will have a new scoreboard in time for the 2010 season.

Let's hope Shafer comes through with his pledge -- I have no reason to doubt he won't -- because Houck's current scoreboard is pretty embarrassing.

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College football teams plan to start the season in courteous style.

As part of a sportsmanship initiative, the American Football Coaches Association and NCAA are encouraging schools to arrange teamwide handshakes on the field before kickoff.

The handshake is planned only for the first week of games, and is not mandatory, although all schools have been asked to participate.

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While Southeast plays its first football game in less than two weeks, local high school teams get their gridiron seasons underway Friday night.

It's a fun time of the year to be a football fan, that's for sure.

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Jackson High School graduate Grant Ressel recently moved to the top of the depth chart in the battle to be Missouri's kicker for field goals and extra points, although he is locked in a tight three-man race for the position.

Ressel, a redshirt sophomore who came to MU as a walk-on, saw action in just one game last year. That appearance represents his only collegiate play to date, a 43-yard punt against Southeast.

MU opens the season Sept. 5 against Illinois in St. Louis and it would be neat if Ressel is the Tigers' kicker that day.

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Good news for Southeast baseball that star catcher Jim Klocke will return to the Redhawks for his senior season.

Klocke, drafted in the 46th round by the Cardinals, has decided to finish his college career before trying his hand at professional baseball.

After graduating so many key seniors from their 2009 team, it would have been a major blow to the Redhawks if they had lost their top underclassman.

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Speaking of Southeast baseball, the program will hold its annual open tryout at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Capaha Field.

Those who wish to participate must be full-time students and registered through the NCAA Clearinghouse.

For more information, call assistant coach Chris Cafalone at 986-6002.

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Former Tennessee-Martin men's basketball coach Bret Campbell is staying in the Ohio Valley Conference to join the Murray State staff as director of basketball operations.

Campbell was at UTM the past 10 seasons, last year leading the Skyhawks to a school-record 22 wins and their first OVC regular-season championship.

Campbell resigned from UTM following the 2008-2009 season after an internal audit found he violated school policies by cashing checks for summer basketball camps.

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The Festus American Legion baseball team reached Legion's biggest stage.

Festus, which late last month won the Zone 4 tournament in Perryville, Mo., followed up with a state title.

Then Festus captured the Central Plains Regional, which qualified the squad for the American Legion World Series in Fargo, N.D.

Festus, which was just the ninth Missouri team to ever reach the Legion World Series, went 1-2 in Fargo to finish the year 40-6.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.