Senior Harris rewrites Southeast football record book

Southeast Missouri State tailback Henry Harris is putting together a remarkable season.

It got even better Saturday as he celebrated Senior Day by breaking three school records and tying two more during the Redhawks' ninth straight win, 40-14 over Division II Southwest Baptist.

Harris knocked off two high-profile program records, for rushing yards in a game and rushing yards in a season.

Harris had an astonishing 293 yards on 35 carries, shattering the previous single-game record that stood for more than 40 yards. Al Holmes held the previous mark by gaining 254 yards in 1969.

With 1,493 yards this season, Harris passed Kelvin "Earthquake" Anderson's previous standard of 1,371 yards in 1992.

Southeast senior running back Henry Harris broke three school records Saturday, November 6, 2010 as the Redhawks hosted Southwest Baptist. (Laura Simon)

"It feels good to be a part of history," said Harris, whose previous career high for yards in a game was 196 earlier this year. "But my main focus really wasn't on breaking records. It was getting wins. We knew this was a good team and we were up for a fight."

As the accolades keep piling up for Harris, he rarely has failed to compliment Southeast's impressive offensive line. Form held Saturday.

"The record means a lot to them," said Harris, a native of Memphis, Tenn., who led Southeast last year with 720 yards rushing. "They've been outstanding all year."

Harris also broke Southeast's single-season record for all-purpose yardage.

And by rushing for three touchdowns, Harris tied program marks for single-season rushing touchdowns (16) and single-season total touchdowns (17).

Southeast senior running back Henry Harris broke three school records in Saturday's game against Southwest Baptist.

With one more regular-season game remaining -- Saturday's Ohio Valley Conference showdown at Jacksonville (Ala.) State -- and likely at least one playoff contest, Harris also probably will break those touchdown records that have stood for a long time.

Walter Smallwood rushed for 16 touchdowns in 1968, while George Godwin scored 17 touchdowns in 1939.

Harris, who had his school-record streak of seven straight 100-yard rushing games end last week, tied his career high with 35 carries reached earlier in the year.

"Is that all?" Southeast coach Tony Samuel said with a laugh when told how many rushing attempts Harris had.

It's not like Harris had his huge day in a blowout. Southeast led 27-14 at halftime and did not nail down the win until the fourth quarter.

Southeast senior running back Henry Harris outruns a pair of Southwest Baptist defenders during Saturday's game at Houck Stadium. (Laura Simon)

Harris, who had 200 yards by halftime, played just one minute of the fourth quarter after his final touchdown put Southeast ahead 40-14.

"Those are impressive records," Samuel said. "I'm happy for him, the way he responds to it. He's playing for the team, not for himself."

Brock ties record

Sophomore safety Tylor Brock also tied a school record Saturday with his sixth interception of the year.

Six other Southeast players have picked off six passes in a season, most recently currrent NFL cornerback Dimitri Patterson in 2003.

Southeast defender Andrew Adams throws to the ground Southwest Baptist quarterback Steven Gachette during Saturday's game.

Brock scored on his interception, a 39-yarder early in the game. It was his second interception for a touchdown this season.

Woodlief's two picks

Senior linebacker Justin Woodlief intercepted two passes, both in the second half. He nearly took the first one back for a touchdown as he returned it 41 yards before being caught from behind at the 5. Southeast scored a TD off the turnover.

"It's never happened before in my life," Woodlief said about the two picks. He had one interception last year.

Southeast leads the OVC and entered the weekend tied for third nationally with 18 interceptions as a team.

Southeast coach Tony Samuel hugs a member of the Southwest Baptist coaching staff after Saturday's game.

More home games?

With Southeast virtually assured of at least an at-large playoff berth, the university is attempting to position itself to host postseason games.

All rounds of the playoffs before the finals are played on campus sites, with preference given to higher seeds and quality of financial bids put together.

Frank Cuervo, Southeast's assistant director of athletics/external affairs, said following Saturday's game that the university is in the process of bidding for every available round of the playoffs.

Noteworthy

* Sophomore linebacker Blake Peiffer from Jackson led Southeast with nine tackles, tying his career high. Junior linebacker Philip Klaproth followed with eight tackles. Junior end Steve Hendry had his second sack of the season.

* Southeast continues to struggle on kick coverage and extra points. The Redhawks have allowed kickoff returns for touchdowns in three straight games and four this season. They missed two PATs, making it five misses on the year.

"We've got to fix those things," Samuel said.

* Southeast announced following Saturday's game that it will partner with KFVS to televise the Redhawks' OVC showdown at Jacksonville State. It will air live on WQWQ.