Unexpected drama

Kevin Ballatore didn't expect to take a snap during Southeast Missouri State's final spring scrimmage Saturday night.

But he ended up playing most of the way, as the Redhawks concluded spring drills with a situational scrimmage at Houck Stadium that lasted about 1 hour 15 minutes and was witnessed by approximately 300 fans.

"I didn't expect it at all," Ballatore said.

Ballatore was second nationally in passing yardage (3,029) and touchdowns (35) among junior college players last season at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Community College, but he has been limited to noncontact work this spring as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

So Ballatore was simply dressed in sweats when Saturday's scrimmage began. But he was pressed into service when Mike Haley -- Southeast's only other quarterback this spring -- suffered an ankle injury about 20 minutes into action.

Ballatore was sent to the locker room to put on shoulder pads and a helmet, keeping on his sweat pants. He quarterbacked the offense the rest of the night and didn't have to deal with a pass rush as Southeast defenders were instructed to stay far away from the junior college transfer.

"It surprised me to be out there, but it went all right, I guess," Ballatore said.

Ballatore displayed a nice touch, as he completed 19 of 24 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown, with one interception.

"It was fun to see Kevin out there," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "He's got a good arm, and he can run, but he couldn't show that tonight."

Haley, who attempted just 15 passes last year as a junior backup, is projected as the Redhawks' starter, but Ballatore is hoping to make a strong case for the position when fall practice begins. He should be fully healthy by then.

"It's the longest spring I've been through, but the knee is coming along," Ballatore said. "I hope to be 100 percent in the fall and I hope to compete for the [starting] job."

Haley completed five of 11 passes for 36 yards with one interception. He was injured on a hit during a scramble, even though the defense was instructed not to tackle Haley.

"It was partly the defense's fault, but also partly Mike's fault because he wasn't supposed to be running like that," Billings said. "But it looks pretty minor. He should be fine, and we're excited about him because he's had a good spring."

Overall, the defense appeared to get the better of the offense during the scrimmage that featured Ohio Valley Conference officials.

No scoring system was kept, as the offense went against the defense in a variety of game-like situations, including overtime.

"I thought it went pretty well. Everybody seemed to have fun, including the fans," Billings said. "Overall, I thought we had a good spring. We're still not where we need to be, but we answered a lot of questions."

The offense scored two touchdowns, on a 12-yard pass from Ballatore to Antonio Scaife and a 1-yard run by Elton Peterson.

Central High School product Collin Schermann, who will compete for the place-kicking job in the fall, booted field goals of 39 and 26 yards. He missed from 45 and 43 yards.

Oge Oge caught five passes for 44 yards, while Scaife added four receptions for 71 yards.

Three running backs -- only one has seen any action yet in his Southeast career -- shared the rushing duties.

Paul Ferguson gained 33 yards on eight carries, returnee Peterson gained 27 yards on eight carries, and Adam Schwent added 28 yards on just four attempts.

Schwent, the former Ste. Genevieve High School record-setting runner who has suffered two serious knee injuries in the last two years, looked sharp early before appearing to tweak a knee. He did not return.

Defensively, Jackson High School product Seth Harrell was credited with a team-high seven tackles from his linebacker spot.

Southeast's defense statistically ranked as one of the nation's worst last season, but there is hope of a turnaround.

"I feel like we're more of a team," linebacker Cory Andrade said. "I think we're going to do a lot better."

Added Billings: "I think our defense can really be a lot better. Our ones [starters] did a great job tonight."