Six picked for OVC all-conference team despite poll spot

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The preseason all-Ohio Valley Conference football team released Monday contains something of an oddity where Southeast Missouri State University is concerned.

Voting by the league's head coaches and sports information directors has the Indians predicted to finish sixth in the seven-team league.

But voting by those same people have the Indians placing six players on the preseason all-conference first team. That's the second-highest total in the league, behind only defending champion and preseason favorite Eastern Illinois, which is represented by eight players.

While having several individuals deemed to be among the best in the league doesn't guarantee team success, Southeast coach Tim Billings figures it sure can't hurt. Last year, Billings' second Southeast squad had just one player on the OVC's preseason all-star team.

"I'd rather have us have this many on the all-conference team that is picked after the season," Billings said, smiling. "But this shows that we have improved our talent.

"Top to bottom, I don't know if we have the best athletes in the league, but we're getting better. Now we just have to win some games and move up in the conference standings."

Two chosen on offense

Of Southeast's six preseason all-conference picks, two are on offense, including elite senior wide receiver Willie Ponder, a preseason All-American who had a record-setting season in his first year with the Indians.

Ponder, one of the Indians' two all-OVC first-team selections after last season, led the conference with 70 receptions for 1,090 and a school-record 11 touchdowns last year.

"Willie had a great season last year and we're looking for big things from him again," Billings said.

Also on the preseason offensive all-league squad is sophomore tackle Dan Connolly, who as a freshman last year made the all-OVC second team.

Southeast defenders on the preseason squad are senior tackle James Jennette, junior linebacker Ricky Farmer, senior safety Prince Anderson and senior cornerback Demar Winston. Jennette and Anderson both wound up being second-team selections last year.

Anderson, Farmer and Jennette were the Indians' top three tacklers last year, with 125, 110 and 78, respectively. Jennette led in tackles for loss with 15 and sacks with four while Farmer was second in both categories, with 10 and three. Winston had a team-best four interceptions.

"All those guys are deserving and hopefully they'll have good years and live up to that," Billings said.

Making the HM list

Sophomore quarterback Jeromy McDowell, junior offensive guard Eugene Amano and sophomore cornerback Dimitri Patterson all made the preseason honorable mention list.

McDowell passed for 2,051 yards last year, the most ever by a Southeast freshman; Patterson had three interceptions to rank right behind Winston; and Amano, a starter since his freshman season, made the all-OVC second team.

Eastern Illinois' league-high eight preseason all-conference selections are highlighted by six on offense, including two-time OVC Offensive Player of the year Tony Romo, who led all NCAA Division I-AA quarterbacks in passing efficiency last year.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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