Young RBs shine in scrimmage

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tony Samuel had few complaints after Saturday's spring scrimmage.

Samuel expected plenty of rough moments at approximately the halfway point of spring drills, especially since Saturday marked the Redhawks' first scrimmage.

And there were indeed plenty of rough spots, along with enough bright spots to keep Samuel encouraged about a team replacing 23 seniors, including the majority of its top players, from last year's squad that went 3-8.

"You know I've got to see film," said Samuel, withholding final judgement until he had a chance to further review the proceedings. "The first one. ... I thought we started a little tentative, then it went well.

"A lot of little things we've got to take care of, but you can see the energy level. The spring is going real good. We had a great offseason. I really like this group."

About 100 fans turned out at Houck Stadium to see the session that lasted just over an hour. The Redhawks mixed in plenty of situational work along with the scrimmaging.

"It was good to get out there in front of the fans, show them what we got," sophomore tailback DeMichael Jackson said. "Our offense did really good and the defense held their own, too."

Jackson is one of three young tailbacks trying to fill the shoes left by Levi Terrell and Renard Celestin, seniors on the 2012 squad who accounted for virtually all of Southeast's rushing yards from that position.

Terrell was among the national leaders with 1,349 yards while Celestin gained 252 yards.

Jackson is Southeast's top returning rusher among tailbacks. He picked up 20 yards on seven carries as a true freshman while displaying plenty of promise during practice.

The same goes for sophomore Lewis Washington, who gained five yards on four carries and scored one touchown as a redshirt freshman; and junior Lennies McFerren, who received only one carry good for four yards following a redshirt freshman season in 2011 that saw him rush for 255 yards.

"We've got some backs," Samuel said.

Jackson, a 5-foot-11, 180-pounder, scored Saturday's only touchdown during the 11-on-11 scrimmage. He went in from 2 yards out.

Jackson rushed for 25 yards on four carries. The 5-9, 205-pound McFerren gained 20 yards on four carries while the 5-10, 215-pound Washington also had some strong runs.

"All three of us, we know we can be starters for this team," Jackson said. "We're all like family. ... We just want to help the team win."

Junior fullback Ron Coleman, already a two-year starter, displayed his usual bruising style, running over plenty of tacklers for 43 yards on just two carries.

Coleman was limited to 158 yards during an injury-marred season last year after rushing for 320 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2011.

"He plays both [tailback and fullback]," Samuel said.

Junior quarterback Kyle Snyder, who missed all of last season with a knee injury after transferring from Ohio University, completed 6 of 9 passes for 192 yards.

Sophomore Scott Lathrop, the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference freshman of the year, sophomore Blake Jackson and junior Tyler Peoples also took snaps at quarterback.

Sophomore Peter Lloyd, from Caruthersville, Mo., led the receivers with three catches for 91 yards.

Junior Spencer Davis, a key receiver and return man the past two years, caught two passes for 40 yards. Senior Matt Bell added two receptions for 37 yards.

Junior linebacker Matt Starks, moved from safety, led the defense with five tackles. Junior linebacker Daniel Siehndel was credited with four tackles. Sophomore cornerback Sam Poole intercepted a pass.

Redshirt freshman kicker Ryan McCrum, looking to replace the graduated Drew Geldbach, kicked a 41-yard field goal.

Southeast will have its second scrimmage at noon Saturday. Spring practice concludes April 27 with the annual spring intrasquad game set for a noon start.