Southeast seniors seek win in Houck farewell

A victory over Tennessee Tech could provide a needed highlight for a group of 18 Southeast seniors.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University's 18 seniors have endured a bummer of a final season, but they would like nothing better than to end their home careers with a victory -- especially the local products among that group

Southeast (2-7, 2-4 Ohio Valley Conference) wraps up its Houck Stadium schedule Saturday with a 1 p.m. game against Tennessee Tech (6-3, 3-2). All the seniors will be recognized prior to kickoff.

"It's the last time we'll get to play at Houck Stadium and we definitely want to go out on a good note," placekicker Derek Kutz, a St. Vincent High School graduate, said prior to Wednesday's practice.

Added tight end Ray Goodson, from Jackson High School: "Everybody wishes we could have had a better year, but it would be nice to win in front of our home fans in the last game on this field. It's going to be emotional."

Kutz, Goodson, linebacker O.J. Turner (Cape Girardeau Central) and offensive tackle Caleb Daniel (Jackson) were all among the area's premier high school players when they decided to join then-second-year coach Tim Billings in trying to turn around a struggling program.

Even though this season has represented a step back for Southeast, the four are proud of what they've been able to accomplish as all four became key players as true freshmen in 2001.

Their first season together resulted in a 4-7 record, but that was followed by an 8-4 mark that represented the program's most wins since 1969. Although Southeast went just 5-7 last year, the squad played in what amounted to the OVC championship game in the season finale, although Jacksonville State prevailed.

"We wish the season would have went a lot better," Turner said. "But I definitely feel good we were part of it here. Before our class came in, they hadn't had a winning season for a while.

"Me being from Cape, I helped bring some pride back to Southeast football."

Said Kutz: "No regrets. All the local guys have done real well. We had the one good year, then we almost won the OVC last year. I think this is just a minor setback for the program. They'll get it back together."

Many of the 18 seniors have put together all-star type careers -- and the local foursome falls into that category.

Kutz, who recently booted a career-long 51-yard field goal, is 10-for-15 this year and 40-for-56 during his four years as Southeast's regular kicker. He made first team all-OVC last year.

Goodson earned second-team Division I-AA All-American honors last year and was also first team all-OVC as he caught a team-high 66 passes. He again leads the squad in receptions this season with 49.

Turner, who like Goodson broke into the starting lineup on a part-time basis as a freshman and has been there ever since, led Southeast in tackles last year with 95, and he's again first this season with 75.

Daniel played defensive tackle his first three seasons at Southeast -- he started as a sophomore and junior -- before being moved to offensive tackle this year. He made a smooth transition into the starting lineup before suffering a season-ending neck injury in the seventh game.

"Even though I got hurt, it's been a good four years," Daniel said. "It's been fun to play so close to home."

Said Billings: "Those four guys have had great careers for us. They took a chance on us when we were just starting to build the program and, even though this year hasn't gone like we wanted, they were a big part of helping get things going."

And, said Billings, the same goes for the rest of the seniors, most of whom also came in as freshmen and played key roles right off the bat.

Tackle Dan Connolly and guard Dan Bieg have been offensive line starters since they were freshmen. Both are all-conference performers, with Bieg making an All-American list last year. Connolly is regarded as a possible NFL draft pick while Bieg could also get a look from professional scouts, along with Goodson and Kutz.

The other seniors who have been with the program since they were freshmen: linebacker Travion Brock, deep snapper/center Justin DeShon, defensive end Cal Jillson, safety Nate Johnston, defensive end Adam Jones, wide receiver Chris NesSmith, safety Chaun Tate, cornerback Marco Tipton, defensive tackle John Paul Usrey and defensive end A.J. Vassar.

Jones, a North County High School graduate, is tied for this year's sack lead with four and is the leading tackler among defensive linemen.

"This season hasn't been what we wanted, but I've had a great experience here," said Jones, who has been a starter for much of his four years at Southeast. "Hopefully our last memories of Houck will be a win."

Jillson, Johnston, NesSmith, Tate and Tipton were all starters at various times during their injury-plagued careers. Johnston, NesSmith -- who caught 77 passes the past two years -- and Tipton have missed virtually all of this season. Tipton was also out most of last year.

The final two seniors, who both have played just two years after transferring from junior college, have been among Southeast's most productive performers.

Quarterback Andrew Goodenough leads the OVC in passing yards per game this year, having thrown for 2,446 yards. Barring injury, he will finish with the second highest single-season total in school history.

Tailback David Taufoou leads Southeast in touchdowns with 11 and yards rushing with 513.

"It's been a great senior group, and most of them had to play as true freshmen, so we couldn't redshirt them. If we had, they'd be juniors now and it would be nice to have them back for another year," Billings said. "But hopefully we can send them out with a win in their last home game."