Southeast football: Offense eager to buck trend of slow starts

After a sluggish start, Southeast Missouri State's offense finally got on track during Saturday night's scrimmage at Houck Stadium.

The Redhawks hope that doesn't mean their 2009 offense will resemble last year's slow-starting unit.

"We got it clicking at the end," senior wide receiver Walter Peoples said. "But the same thing happened last year when we didn't click early. We need to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Sophomore quarterback Matt Scheible said he and some teammates were looking through the Southeast media guide recently when they were reminded of a disturbing statistic.

The 2008 Redhawks scored only 13 first-quarter points all season.

Wide reciever D.J. Foster leaps for a pass during a drill before Saturday's scrimmage.

"We don't want to have to come from behind all the time like we did last year," said Scheible, who has solidified his hold on the starting job during fall camp.

Scheible, who started twice last year as a true freshman behind then-senior Houston Lillard, was sharp in Saturday's scrimmage that marked the end of Southeast's two-week fall camp.

Scheible completed 11 of 18 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a 1-yard TD.

"We came out a little sluggish, but we settled down and did well," Scheible said of the offense. "I feel like we have a good cohesiveness."

Scheible hit Peoples with a 12-yard touchdown pass and fired a 20-yard TD strike to junior wide receiver Miles Edwards.

Wide receiver Miles Edwards gets smashed by cornerback Salim Powell, left, and safety Marvin Anderson during Saturday's scrimmage at Houck Stadium. (LAURA SIMON ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

"Matt is doing good," said Southeast coach Tony Samuel following the scrimmage attended by about 300 people. "He's got a good grasp of the offense."

Senior Dustin Powell, trying to make a case for playing time after seeing virtually no action at quarterback last year, completed 5 of 15 passes for 76 yards.

Powell, who had several passes dropped, threw a 20-yard strike to freshman tight end D.T. Lesane for the offense's fourth and final touchdown.

Seven different players caught passes, led by Peoples with five receptions for 34 yards.

Edwards caught four passes for 88 yards, including a 53-yarder from Scheible. Lesane had two receptions for 56 yards.

Taylor West tries to wrap up wide receiver Walter Peoples during Saturday's scrimmage.

Junior tailback Henry Harris led the rushing attack with six carries for 65 yards, most of that coming when he broke off a 57-yard run on his second attempt of the evening.

All four of the touchdowns during the 70-minute scrimmage came after the offense started with possession at the defense's 20-yard line.

When the offense had to drive from at least near midfield, the defense controlled play, including forcing two safeties.

"They flew around pretty good," defensive coordinator Tim McGuire said.

Senior rover Marvin Anderson and freshman safety Tylor Brock led the way with four tackles each. Brock also had an interception.

Junior rover Taylor West had three tackles and a sack. He led the way with 1.5 tackles for loss.

Freshman end Justin Love and freshman tackle Matt Rehan also were credited with sacks.

"We played good at times. Everyone was getting to the ball," said West, a junior college transfer. "There is obviously room for improvement. That's why we have practice.

"It feels like we're improving every day in practice. Hopefully we can keep it up."

Samuel came away feeling positive about what transpired.

"It was a good scrimmage. I like the tempo. It was crisp," he said. "There were good runs, nice catches and the defense ran to the ball."

Classes begin Monday as the Redhawks settle into their in-season practice routine. Their first game is less than two weeks away when Quincy University visits Sept. 3.

"We had a good fall camp, very good energy," Samuel said. "Now with classes starting, they have to concentrate on that as well.

"It's a whole different deal."