Southeast seniors try to make impression with NFL scouts

Several Southeast Missouri State football players who completed their eligibility in 2004 tried to impress assorted NFL scouts recently as the program conducted what is know as "Pro Day" at Houck Stadium.

This event takes place each year at most colleges in the country as scouts tour the nation to work out potential prospects -- some of them well-known but most of them fairly anonymous -- in hopes of gathering as much information as they can on as many players as possible.

Southeast seniors who went through various drills -- including 40-yard dashes and agility tests -- were tight end Ray Goodson, offensive linemen Dan Connolly and Dan Bieg, quarterback Andrew Goodenough and running back David Taufoou.

Goodson, a Jackson High School product who was a two-time All-American, is a longshot to be selected when the NFL holds its seven-round draft April 23 and 24, but he figures to have a solid chance of landing a training camp spot as a free agent.

Bieg, Goodenough and Taufoou aren't considered draft prospects but were trying to make enough of an impression to be invited to some team's training camp.

Connolly, Southeast's best pro prospect, did not work out much -- except for a few agility drills -- because NFL coaches and general managers got a good look at him during the recent scouting combine in Indianapolis. Connolly is thought to have a solid chance of being drafted.

Another Southeast senior, kicker Derek Kutz from St. Vincent High School, also stands a decent chance of earning a training camp invitation as a free agent. Kutz attended the workout but didn't do a whole lot as he had already performed in front of several NFL scouts earlier this year in Florida.

The Southeast seniors are trying to join two recent Southeast products -- wide receiver Willie Ponder and offensive lineman Eugene Amano -- in landing NFL roster spots.

Ponder, a former sixth-round draft pick, has already spent two seasons in the NFL, while former seventh-round selection Amano has played in the league for one season.

We'll see if any of the current crop of senior Redhawks is able to join that dynamic duo.

* Southeast sharp-shooting guard Brett Hale was among the players considered for selection to Thursday's 3-point contest as part of the NCAA Final Four in St. Louis.

Hale was reportedly on an original list of 20 that was later trimmed down to eight actual contestants, and Southeast was actually contacted regarding the availability of Hale in case an invited shooter or two did not make it to the event.

Even though Hale did not wind up competing, it's quite a compliment -- and testament to his shooting skills -- that he was even considered.

Despite being injured much of the season, Hale hit 22 of 42 from 3-point range, a 52.4 percent success rate that was better than national leader Salim Stoudamire of Arizona (50.4 percent), although Hale did not have nearly enough attempts to qualify among the leaders.

* Mark Bernsen, who spent one season as a Southeast assistant men's basketball coach in 2003-2004, came up just short in his bid to win the national junior college championship.

Bernsen, who left Southeast to become the head coach at Moberly (Mo.) Area Community College, directed the Greyhounds to the title game March 26, but they lost to Paris (Texas) 70-61.

* Lafayette High School senior Landon Shipley, recently selected by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as its boys basketball player of the year, has some strong area ties.

Both of Shipley's parents are Southeast graduates -- David played guard for the basketball team from 1975 through 1979, and Tonya served as a Southeast cheerleader.

In addition, Shipley's maternal grandparents, Don and Laverne Nothdurft, live in the Whitewater/Delta area.

Shipley, a guard, averaged 20.2 points and 5.1 assists for a 24-5 Lafayette squad that lost to Class 5 champion Poplar Bluff in the sectional round. He will play college basketball at Austin Peay.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.