SOUTHEAST FOOTBALL SPRINGING TO ACTION

Coming off 4-7 and 3-8 records the last two years, Southeast Missouri State University football coach John Mumford is hoping a spirited spring practice session is just what the Indians need to offer a good jump-start into the 1998 season.

Spring drills for the Indians begin Friday and will culminate with the annual spring intrasquad game on April 25. NCAA guidelines allow for 15 spring practices.

"We're looking forward to getting back on the field and getting this team ready for next fall's demanding schedule," said Mumford. "I think the kids are real excited. They've been working hard in the weight room and been up early in the morning running. They're anxious to see where they're at physically on an individual basis and where we're headed as a team."

Although the Indians did not have a high number of seniors last season, many of their best players were seniors, so there are plenty of holes for Mumford and his staff to start filling.

"We lost some awfully good players," Mumford said. "Now it's other players' turns to step up. We have a lot of confidence in the guys coming back. They'll have the opportunity to step up and I think they will.

"I believe we have enough quality players on both sides of the football to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference. If we come together as a team, we can be successful. That will be our emphasis during spring drills."

Offensively is where the Indians return many of their veteran players, with nine starters back, including last year's top ground gainer and top receiver.

But quarterback is a major question mark as three relatively inexperienced players will battle for the position held last year by graduated senior Justin Martini.

Jeff Shaw, an option quarterback in high school, saw considerable action late last season; former Cape Girardeau Central High star Bobby Brune was redshirted; and Kevin Seto was signed out of a California junior college.

"Quarterback is probably the big question on everybody's mind," said Mumford. "It's up for grabs between Jeff Shaw, Bobby Brune and Kevin Seto, and Michael Gross (former Jackson High star who, like Brune, redshirted last year) is also in the picture.

"It should be a highly competitive situation. We've got them all here for the spring, so that's a big advantage."

The entire offensive line returns, led by second-team all-OVC tight end Mitch Fryer and guard Jessie Eaton and Chris Kiefer, both honorable-mention all-OVC last year.

Fullback Britt Mirgaux, the leading ground gainer the past two seasons, returns for his senior campaign after rushing for 492 yards last year. Also returning are tailbacks K.D. Koleosho and Corey Williams, who combined for 724 yards in 1997, and Riki Smith, who got off to a strong start but was hampered by injuries.

Second-team all-OVC wide receiver Dante Bryant returns after catching 43 passes for 599 yards last year. Also back are Leslie Weaver and Marcus McKinley, who combined for 39 receptions.

Defensively is where the Indians lost the most talent, including the likes of All-America tackle Angel Rubio. Southeast returns only five defensive starters.

Southeast does return two of the four down linemen who helped the Indians rank 23rd nationally against the run last season: second-team all-OVC Troy Baglio and Marcus McLellan.

At linebacker, two of last year's top players, Division I-A transfers Zuri Buchanan and Chris Justice, are no longer around, Buchanan having been booted off the squad during the 1997 season and Justice having left the team after the school year.

Gabe Jenkins is the only full-time returning starter at linebacker, but David Bowling got some starts late in the season and Kevin Meachem came on strong toward the end. In addition, Terrance Sterling, a starter in 1996, returns after missing last season with a leg injury.

All-OVC first-team cornerback Fred Hambrick, who had a team-high five interceptions last year, will anchor the secondary that also returns safety John Smith and several other players who saw quite a bit of action last year, including Isaac Powell, Joe Williams and Brian Hinton.

"We've got some big holes to fill on defense," acknowledged Mumford. "But I think we've got the guys to fill them, with the returning players and the newcomers."

The Indians must replace both specialists: punter Justin Terrill, who ranked eighth nationally with 43.5 yards per punt; and kicker Eric Warren, who led last year's team in scoring.

Returning letterman Nick Reggio should handle the kicking duties while juco transfers Shawn Walker and Seto are expected to battle for the punting job.

* The 1998 schedule has officially been released and it is being regarded as one of the toughest in school history. To be sure, it is considerably tougher than last year's.

Missing from the slate are Lambuth and Austin Peay, opponents the Indians handled easily for two of their four wins last season.

Non-OVC games are against Division II powerhouse Truman State and three Gateway Conference teams: Indiana State, Southwest Missouri State and Southern Illinois.

The Indians will begin the 1998 season with four straight home games: Truman State (Sept. 3), Indiana State (Sept. 12), Murray State (Sept. 19) and Tennessee-Martin (Sept. 26).

After that, there is only one more home game the rest of the season, against Middle Tennessee (Oct. 31).

The road schedule features Eastern Illinois (Oct. 3), Tennessee Tech (Oct. 10), Southwest Missouri (Oct. 24), Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 7), Southern Illinois (Nov. 14) and Tennessee State (Nov. 21).