Redhawks to conduct first official practice today

The Southeast Missouri State football team technically held the first of its allotted fall camp workouts Monday with a series of conditioning tests.

But practice for the upcoming season officially begins at 8 a.m. today.

In just 23 days, the Redhawks play their 2008 opener at home against Division II Southwest Baptist on Aug. 28.

"We're looking forward to getting practice started," senior wide receiver Mike Williamson said.

Southeast will squeeze in 29 practices before its first game. The Redhawks will have six two-a-day sessions, with the first being Saturday. Their initial practice with full pads will be Friday.

"We're real excited to get going," senior quarterback Houston Lillard said. "With so many people coming back, we won't have to learn so much new stuff like we did last year."

Southeast will face a fairly grueling practice schedule, with at least one workout scheduled every day until Aug. 23. Fall camp will break Aug. 25, when classes begin.

More extremely hot, humid weather is expected today, although temperatures are supposed to dip below 90 degrees by Thursday.

"We were in the heat running at 4 p.m. [during summer workouts]," senior defensive end Ben Gugler said. "Most people should be accustomed to [the heat]."

Local products

There are five players on the Redhawks' roster from the Southeast Missourian coverage area, including four from Jackson.

Senior offensive lineman Matt James from Jackson played in all 11 games at left tackle last year and made seven starts.

Junior tight end Brad Crader and sophomore linebacker Joel Penrod, both from Jackson, sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules and will battle for playing time this year. Crader (Truman State) and Penrod (Lindenwood) both saw limited action at their previous school.

Two local incoming freshman are tight end Antonio Garritano from Jackson and cornerback Kris Cottner from Perryville.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel said he would reserve judgement on the redshirt possibilities of not only Garritano and Cottner, but also the Redhawks' other seven true freshmen, until he has a chance to see them practice for a while.

Dorm construction

A new student dormitory that will include game day dressing rooms for the Southeast football and soccer teams is under construction just beyond the west end zone of Houck Stadium.

For this season, the Redhawks will continue to use the gymnasium in the Student Recreation Center South across the street from Houck Stadium as a game day dressing room.

Because of the dorm construction, there will be a temporary scoreboard at Houck this season. A new scoreboard is scheduled to be in place for the 2009 campaign.

Strength coach leaves

Clete McLeod, who was only on the job since January, recently resigned as Southeast's strength and conditioning coach to join the football strength coaching staff at Oregon State.

Interviews to find McLeod's replacement are underway.