Three 'Hawks receive preseason recognition

~ Southeast's Jones, Schermann and Simonhoff are among 28 OVC players honored.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- At least Southeast Missouri State had more than one all-Ohio Valley Conference preseason selection this time.

Last year the Redhawks placed only punter David Simonhoff on the team, which is voted on by the league's head football coaches and sports information directors.

The squad that was announced Tuesday -- there is only a first team, as opposed to the end-of-season awards that include first and second teams -- featured Simonhoff, kicker Colin Schermann and defensive end Edgar Jones.

Simonhoff, a senior, is by far the most decorated Southeast player over the past several years.

Last season, the native of Coral Gables, Fla., was a first-team All-America pick by the American Football Coaches Association after he led the OVC in punting with a 42.8-yard average.

In 2004, Simonhoff was a second-team All-America selection after he set Southeast and OVC records by averaging 46 yards per punt. He has been first-team all-OVC the past two years after making the second team as a freshman.

Simonhoff has already made several preseason All-America squads this year.

Schermann, a sophomore from Cape Girardeau Central High School, had a banner rookie college season last year. As a redshirt freshman he made first-team all-OVC after connecting on 12 of 14 field-goal attempts.

Jones, a senior from Rayville, La., was second-team all-conference last year when he had four quarterback sacks and six tackles for loss. Both figures ranked second on the Redhawks and lead the way among returning players.

Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois -- picked one-two in the OVC preseason poll -- each had a league-high six preseason all-league selections.

Tennessee-Martin was next with four, while Southeast and Tennessee Tech tied with three. Jacksonville State followed with two and Tennessee State had one. Samford and Murray State -- despite being picked to finish fourth and fifth, respectively -- were shut out individually.