Two Redhawks mentioned in All-American football honors

Two Southeast Missouri State football players have earned honorable-mention All-American honors.

Senior linebacker Adam Casper and sophomore punter Doug Spada were among 24 Ohio Valley Conference players selected earlier this week to the Sports Network's Football Championship Subdivision All-American team.

That includes two first-team selections, one second-teamer, one third-teamer and 20 honorable-mention picks.

Casper, who completed his eligibility at Southeast this past season, was a first-team all-OVC selection for the second straight year after leading the league with 112 tackles.

Casper, an Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School graduate, finished his senior season tied for 12th nationally in tackles per game with 11.2.

Spada, who handled all of Southeast's kicking duties, also was first-team all-OVC after ranking 10th nationally with a 42.5-yard average. He placed 27 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

OVC players selected to the Sports Network All-American first team were Eastern Kentucky cornerback Derrick Huff and Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Tennessee Tech's Larry Shipp made the second team as a kick returner, while Eastern Kentucky safety Brandon Gathof was placed on the third team.