Southeast football players focus on likely playoff berth after loss

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- It was somewhat difficult to put things into perspective after such a gut-wrenching loss.

But Southeast Missouri State's players and coaches were fairly able to do just that following Saturday's 29-27 setback at Jacksonville State that snapped the Redhawks' nine-game winning streak.

As tough as the defeat was, the Redhawks already could see light at the end of the tunnel.

That's because Southeast, ranked seventh nationally for its highest mark ever, virtually is assured of the program's first playoff berth on any level.

That's even if the Redhawks don't receive the Ohio Valley Conference's automatic playoff bid, which they would get if JSU loses at Tennessee Tech in the Gamecocks' regular-season finale Nov. 20.

Southeast Missouri State quarterback Matt Scheible runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter Saturday.

As it stands now, Southeast (9-2, 7-1 OVC) has at least a share of the OVC championship.

The Redhawks' regular season is over, but when the 20-team field for the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) playoffs is announced Nov. 21, it will be a huge upset if the Redhawks aren't included as at least an at-large team.

"I've got to think we're in there," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "This is a team that can do something in the playoffs."

Said senior tailback Henry Harris: "We're going to the playoffs."

The Redhawks entered the contest already having locked up no worse than an OVC co-championship, which was quite an accomplishment in its own right.

Southeast Missouri State's Miles Edwards heads downfield after a pass reception against Jacksonville State during the second quarter Saturday.

But the Redhawks desperately wanted the crown all to themselves, which they would have had by beating JSU. And they got so close. The Gamecocks didn't score the winning touchdown until only 11 seconds remained.

"We're hurting inside to get so close," junior quarterback Matt Scheible said. "But we're going to the playoffs."

Sophomore linebacker Blake Peiffer, a Jackson High School product, said the likely playoff berth eases a bit of the sting.

"In a way it does, but we wanted that championship to ourselves so bad," Peiffer said. "But the playoffs is something SEMO's never done before."

Added senior linebacker Joshua Jackson: "Granted, we're disappointed. But we had a hell of a season. And it's not over. We're going to get ready for the playoffs."

The Southeast Missouri State sideline watches the final seconds of Saturday's game in Jacksonville, Ala. The Redhawks lost to the Gamecocks 29-27. (Fred Lynch)

More Harris accolades

Harris, who was added Friday to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award -- the FCS's top individual honor that goes to the division's outstanding player -- broke two more school records.

Harris' 1-yard touchdown run that gave Southeast a 27-22 lead late in the fourth quarter was his 17th rushing touchdown of the season and 18th touchdown this year. Those are both program records.

By gaining 134 yards on 21 carries, Harris pushed his single-season school-record rushing total to 1,627 yards -- the fifth-highest in OVC history.

Harris already broke Kelvin "Earthquake" Anderson's previous single-season standard of 1,371 yards, established in 1992. He also owns the school single-game rushing record and single-season all-purpose yardage mark.

Jacksonville State's Marques Ivory hands off to Darius Barksdale during the first quarter Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 at Jacksonville, Ala. (Fred Lynch)

Harris is among 20 players in the running for the Walter Payton Award that will be given out Jan. 6, the night before the national championship game.

Statistically speaking

Scheible completed 13 of 22 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 12 times for 57 yards.

Junior wide receiver Chantae Ahamefule caught five passes for 33 yards. Senior wide out Miles Edwards added four receptions for 56 yards.

Senior cornerback Aaron Grimes led Southeast in tackles with 13. Peiffer had 11 tackles and junior cornerback Kweku Arkorful added 10 tackles while being credited with two forced fumbles.

Peiffer recovered a fumble and senior linebacker Justin Woodlief intercepted his fourth pass of the season.