Weekly OVC honor for SEMO & UT Martin player

As the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team rolls into unfamiliar territory (undefeated in the OVC and ranked in the top 15) they continue to rack up weekly player of the week honors.

Defensive player of the week goes to senior linebacker Joshua Jackson. The Texas native had seven tackles, a sack and forced a fumbled. Jackson helped the Redhawks defense hold UT Martin to just 58-total yards and no points in the first half.

Jackson is the third different Redhawk player to earn OVC defensive player of the week honors this season.

Specialist of the week goes to UT Martin punter Jason Hook who punted five times for an average of 45.8 yards a kick in Saturdays loss to SEMO.

Marion coaches rockin' the mic!

The Heartland is loaded with great high school football coaches and you can find one of the best in Marion, IL.

Without question one of my favorites is Kerry Martin. He's the type of coach a player would run through a wall to please.

Coach Martin and his staff have always been respectful to me and generous with their time.  I can't thank them enough for allowing access to their players and into their and practices.

Am I laying it on thick? I may need the extra brownie-points.

I couldn't let this video fall to waste on the edit room floor.  Classic stuff!

Before practice Friday Coach Jeff Cima took the microphone and....uh....well...  take a look.

(Barry Manilow is cringing)

Sure hope they don't quite their day jobs!

Shane Kearbey placed on paid administrative leave

According to Poplar Bluff high school Superintendent Chris Hon, Mules head football coach Shane Kearbey is on paid administrative leave.

Hon tells us there is a personnel investigation and review underway related to an incident between coach Kearbey and a student, which took place Tuesday at school, but Hon did not give specifics.

Kearbey took over the mules program three years ago and has been with the district since 1998. He also serves as the physical education teacher and an assistant track coach.

Dave Seivers will coach the football team for the final regular season game this Thursday against Seckman .

The Mules are 1-8 this season.

Heartland News made contact earlier (Wednesday) with coach Kearbey but he declined comment.

Scheible named OVC Offensive 'Player of the Week'

OVC Players of the week for October 24th.

OFFENSIVE

Matt Scheible, QB • Jr., 6-1, 200 • Washington, Mo. • Southeast Missouri

Scheible accounted for 177 passing yards (a season-high) and 89 rushing yards as No. 13 Southeast Missouri topped Eastern Kentucky 40-21 to win its seventh game in a row, the longest streak for the team since 1975 (and longest at the Division I level). Scheible completed 9-of-10 passes for 177 yards and matched his career-high with three touchdowns. Scheible had two touchdown passes in the first quarter (a 34-yarder to Henry Harris and a 51-yarder to Chantae Ahamefule) as the Redhawks led 20-0 after the first 15 minutes. His only incomplete pass came late in the fourth quarter; Scheible now ranks 13th nationally in passing efficiency (141.99). The junior, who won his second OVC Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season, also used his feet in carrying the ball 20 times for 89 yards (4.4 yards/carry). Scheible currently ranks third in the OVC in rushing (83.2 yards/game). The win was the first-ever for Southeast Missouri over Eastern Kentucky in Cape Girardeau, ending a streak of nine-consecutive losses at home.

Others Nominated: Marques Ivory, Jacksonville State; Lorence Ricks, Eastern Illinois; Casey Brockman, Murray State; Calvin McNairl, Tennessee State; Derek Carr, UT Martin.

DEFENSIVE

Brannon Byrd, LB • Jr., 6-2, 243 • Lucedale, Miss. • Jacksonville State

Byrd has seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss and his first career interception as No. 3 Jacksonville State topped Austin Peay 56-3 in its annual Homecoming game. Byrd was part of a Gamecock defense that limited the Govs to just 67 rushing and 90 passing yards (157 yards of total offense). The junior’s pick in the third quarter near midfield set up Jacksonville State for a touchdown on its next possession. The win was the 12th in a row for JSU, the longest streak in FCS football.

Others Nominated: CJ James, Eastern Illinois; Justin Darden & Tim Cox, UT Martin.

CO-SPECIALIST

Drew Geldbach, K • So., 6-0, 205 • Wildwood, Mo. • Southeast Missouri

Geldbach netted 11 total points, going 5-of-5 on point after attempts and 2-of-2 on field goals in Southeast Missouri’s 40-21 victory over Eastern Kentucky. The sophomore hit from 32 yards and 30 yards in the second half as the Redhawks topped the Colonels for the first time in 10 tries at home and extended its winning streak to seven games. For the season Geldbach is 10-of-13 in field goal attempts and 21-of-24 in point after tries.

CO-SPECIALIST

Nick Campbell, P • Jr., 6-2, 225 • Lawrenceburg, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech

Campbell helped Tennessee Tech win the field position battle on Saturday and thus win the game in topping Tennessee State 21-10 to clinch at least a share of the Sgt. York Trophy for the second-straight season. TTU was out-gained 361-200 by TSU on the night but Campbell downed four of his six punts inside the Tiger 20-yard line, including one that went out-of-bounds at the 3-yard line. Overall the junior punted six times for a 45.5 yards/punt average with a long of 60 yards and a 58-yarder that was downed at the TSU 9-yard line.

Others Nominated: Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Cody Sandlin, UT Martin.

NEWCOMER

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB • Fr., 6-3, 208 • Fr. • Eastern Illinois

Garoppolo completed 26-of-35 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns in Eastern Illinois’ loss to Murray State on Saturday. The true freshman connected on 13 of his first 14 pass attempts to start the game as EIU led 21-14 at halftime. The 300-plus yards and four touchdowns were the most by a Panther quarterback since November 2009. His longest pass was a 45-yard touchdown strike to Lorence Ricks in the first quarter.

Others Nominated: Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Mike Harris, Murray State; DJ McNeil, UT Martin.

2010 OVC Soccer Tournament

By Heather Brown / Ohio Valley Conference

The 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Championship field is set. Morehead State earned the top seed and the right to host the three-day event that will take place Nov. 4-5 and 7. Southeast Missouri is the No. 2 seed and along with the Eagles will receive a first-round bye. Austin Peay is the third seed followed by Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky and Murray State.

The entire tournament can be seen for free on OVCSports.TV.

2010 Ohio Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Championship

THURSDAY, NOV. 4 – FIRST ROUND– Morehead, Ky.

#4 Eastern Illinois vs. #5 Eastern Kentucky – 5 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)

#3 Austin Peay vs. #6 Murray State – 8 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)

FRIDAY, NOV. 5 – SEMIFINALS – Morehead, Ky.

#1 Morehead State vs. Winner of #4 Eastern Illinois vs. #5 Eastern Kentucky – 5 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)

#2 Southeast Missouri vs. Winner of #3 Austin Peay vs. #6 Murray State – 8 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)

SUNDAY, NOV. 7 – CHAMPIONSHIP – Morehead, Ky.

Championship match – 1 p.m. (OVCSports.TV)

*Tournament bracket

Henry Harris named OVC Offensive POW

For the fourth time this season Southeast Missouri State running back Henry Harris is named OVC Offensive player of the week.  The Redhawks have won six consecutive games and rank 18th in the Sports Network Top 25 Poll.

Southeast is home Saturday hosting Eastern Kentucky in a 1:00 pm kickoff.

You can see the game Webcast live at www.kfvs12.com

OFFENSIVE
Henry Harris, RB • Sr., 5-8, 185 • Memphis, Tenn. • Southeast Missouri
Harris rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns as No. 18-ranked Southeast Missouri topped Austin Peay 41-24 to win its sixth-straight game and improve to 6-1 on the season. Harris carried the ball 35 times and became the first player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to break the 1,000-yard plateau this season (1,020). The senior also broke the 2,000-yard barrier for his career. The 152-yard effort was his sixth 100-yard rushing game in a row. Harris racked up 308 all-purpose yards for the game, as he had 156 yards on four kickoff returns, including a 71-yarder. Harris currently ranks first nationally in all-purpose yards (238.57/game) and fourth nationally in rushing (145.71 yards/game). It marked the fourth time this season Harris has been named OVC Offensive Player of the Week.

Others Nominated: Calvin Middleton, Jacksonville State; Jocques Crawford, Tennessee Tech; Derek Carr, UT Martin.

CO-DEFENSIVE
Caleb Mitchell, DB • So., 6-1, 190 • Russellville, Ala. • Tennessee Tech
Marcus Edwards, LB • So., 6-1, 225 • Alabaster, Ala. • Tennessee Tech
The duo combined for 14 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions as Tennessee Tech topped Eastern Illinois 34-20. Mitchell forced three turnovers by himself, forcing a fumble and picking off two EIU passes. Early in the second quarter Mitchell picked off a pass and went 36 yards for a touchdown to get the Golden Eagles on the board. His second interception came in the end zone, ending a drive where Eastern Illinois was looking to cut the margin to one score. Mitchell also had seven tackles (six solo) and a sack. Edwards ended up with 4.5 sacks for 31 yards worth of lost yards as TTU held EIU to just 39 net rushing yards. The sophomore added seven tackles (four solo). The 4.5 sacks were part of eight by the Golden Eagle team which tied the school record.

Others Nominated: Antwaun Majors, Austin Peay; Rodney Garrott, Jacksonville State; Justin Darden, UT Martin.

CO-SPECIALIST
Rashad Haynes, RS/DB • Sr., 5-11, 178 • Rockledge, Fla. • Eastern Illinois
Haynes became the first Eastern Illinois player in nearly six years to return a punt for a touchdown, scoring on a 46-yard return in the first quarter against Tennessee Tech on Saturday. His return put the Panthers up 7-0 with 7:27 to play in the opening quarter. On defense the senior added five tackles and a pass break-up.

CO-SPECIALIST
Jordan Berry, P • R-Fr., 6-5, 195 • Essendon, Victoria, Australia • Eastern Kentucky
Berry averaged 52.3 yards on six punts in Eastern Kentucky's loss at UT Martin on Saturday. Berry put four of those punts inside the Skyhawk 20-yard line and had a 75-yard punt, which was just three yards short of the EKU all-time record. The punt rolled to the UTM 3-yard line in the third quarter. Berry also showed off his running skills by rushing for a first down on a 4th and 11 play in the third quarter.

Others Nominated: Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; Drew Geldbach, Southeast Missouri; Matthew Barker, Tennessee Tech.

NEWCOMER
Jocques Crawford, RB • Sr., 6-1, 238 • Memphis, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Crawford carried the ball 19 times for a career-high 127 yards (6.7 yards/carry) and two touchdowns in Tennessee Tech's 34-20 victory over Eastern Illinois. Crawford rushed for a 1-yard touchdown later in the second quarter and added a 2-yard score to open the fourth quarter and help widen the TTU lead to 14 points.

Others Nominated: Cameron Berra, Eastern Illinois; Jordan Berry, Eastern Kentucky; Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State; T.J. Drakeford, UT Martin.

Salukis prepare for key game with UNI

After five weeks of football no one (associated with or a fan of  the Southern Illinois Slaukis football team) thought they would be sitting at 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

But that is the situation in Carbondale for the 21st ranked Salukis. A team that began the season ranked 2nd but has plummeted in the polls since losing in week two to Illinois.

"We are at a point where every game is critical," said SIU Head Coach Dale Lennon. "We just have to keep the focus on the preparation and not get too caught up in the magnitude of everything and if you do that I think you give yourself a chance."

Saturday at Saluki Stadium the Salukis can firmly put the ship back on track with a win over Northern Iowa. The Panthers won't be a cake-walk for SIU as they enter with a 2-2 record and number 15 ranking.

"There is no doubt this is a big game," said SIU Head Coach Dale Lennon. "You look at the history of it and the winner has usually had an upper hand in pursing the conference championship"

With the win last week over Illinois State which ended the three game losing streak the Salukis regained confidence and can draw on recent history for extra momentum.  They have won 10 of 14 against Northern Iowa when playing in Carbondale.

"It's a big game for us as far as fans-wise and just the alumni and tradition as far as being a physical tough match-up," said Salukis defensive back Korey Lindsey. "We are just trying to keep that going on for the most part."