SE FOOTBALL HOLDS SPRING `GAME' TODAY

Southeast Missouri State University's annual spring football game today won't really be a game after all.

Because of thin numbers at linebacker, the Indians will conclude spring drills with a 1 p.m. scrimmage at Houck Stadium. The scrimmage is open to the public."Due to injuries at the linebacker position, we won't divide the team up and have a game," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "We will have a controlled scrimmage and hope that we continue to see the improvement that we have seen throughout our spring practice."The Indians have had a good number of players participating in spring practice -- about 70 -- but they are still thin at some positions, namely linebacker. Terrance Sterling and Steve Ledbetter have injuries from last fall that have kept them out of the bulk of spring workouts.

One of the linebackers who has been impressive during the spring is Gabe Jenkins, like Sterling a former standout at Cape Central High. Jenkins was moved from fullback, which he played last fall."Gabe is a player. He'll really help us at linebacker," said Mumford, who added that several linebackers scheduled to report in August should also help bolster that position.

Mumford said things have gone about as well as he had hoped during spring workouts."Our defense has looked good all spring and our offense has really started to come around," he said."Our kickers are hitting the ball with authority and Justin Terrill has been very impressive with his punting."