CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri football program recognized its award-winners for the 2020-21 season Wednesday afternoon at the Holcomb Success Center. 

SEMO finished the year with a 4-4 overall record and 4-3 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Redhawks ended their season on a three-game winning streak with a home victory over Tennessee Tech and road wins at UT Martin and Tennessee State.

Statistically, the Redhawks were among the top three in the OVC in scoring offense (2nd, 27.6 ppg), scoring defense (3rd, 22.6 ppg allowed), rushing offense (2nd, 147.5 ypg), pass defense (2nd, 181.1 ypg allowed), pass defense efficiency (3rd, 108.0), kickoff returns (3rd, 20.1 ypr), interceptions (2nd, 10), punting (1st, 38.2 ypp), kickoff coverage (1st, 41.8 net avg.), fourth down conversions (1st, 11-of-17, 64.7 pct.), opponent fourth down conversions (1st, 9-of-25, 36 pct.), red zone offense (3rd, 29-of-35, 82.9 pct.) and red zone defense (1st, 18-of-27, 66.7 pct.). 

Nationally, SEMO rated among the top 10 in the Football Championship Subdivision in blocked kicks (3rd, 4), blocked punts (5th, 2), defensive touchdowns (4th, 2), interceptions (4th, 10), red zone defense (8th) and turnovers gained (9th, 15).

A total of eight Redhawks landed on this year's All-OVC teams. 

Running back Geno Hess, wide receiver Zack Smith, guard Jaden Rosenthall, defensive tackle Bryson Donnell and punter Zach Haynes earned first-team honors, while center Shyron Rodgers, outside linebacker Omardrick Douglas and punt returner Shabari Davis claimed second-team accolades.

Hess led the OVC and FCS with 12 rushing touchdowns. He was first in the conference in scoring and ninth nationally with nine points per contest. Hess ranked second among OVC leaders and ninth in the FCS with 666 rushing yards (82.1 ypg), as well. Additionally, Hess scored multiple rushing touchdowns three times and ran for a season-best 128 yards at Southern Illinois (Oct. 30).

Smith finished as the Redhawks top receiver with 38 catches for 403 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 50.4 yards per game and 10.6 yards per catch. Smith ranked fifth in the OVC in receptions per game (4.8) and ninth in receiving yards per contest (50.4). He was named OVC Player of the Week after establishing new career-highs in receptions (10) and receiving yards (173) against Tennessee Tech (Mar. 28). 

Rosenthall started seven games at left guard and Rodgers made eight starts at center. 

Donnell logged five starts on the defensive line and was SEMO's fourth-leading tackler with 41 stops. He added three tackles for loss, a sack and four quarterback hurries. Donnell also blocked a kick, forced a fumble and had one fumble recovery.  

A walk-on, Haynes led the OVC and ranked 15th in the FCS with 42.2 yards per punt. He punted 36 times for 1,521 yards and dropped 15 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. Haynes had a season-long 53-yard punt at Eastern Illinois (Feb. 28).

Douglas notched 26 tackles with 14 solo stops in six starts at outside linebacker. He also added 3.5 tackles for loss, a team-high five pass breakups and blocked a kick.

Davis ran back 10 punts for 95 yards and gained 9.5 yards per return. He ranked third in the OVC in punt return average. 

Additionally, Haynes and fellow walk-on Shamenski Rucker were awarded scholarships. A total of 17 walk-ons have earned scholarships under SEMO Head Coach Tom Matukewicz.
 
2020-21 SEMO Football Award-Winners:
Defensive Newcomer of the Year – Steven Lewis, DL
Offensive Newcomer of the Year – Johnny King, WR
Kenneth Knox Defensive Lineman of the Year – Bryson Donnell, DT
Defensive Work Team Player of the Year – Ty Leonard, DB
Offensive Work Team Player of the Year – Wesley Roberts, WR
Wayne Goddard Offensive Lineman of the Year – Shyron Rodgers, C
Top Linebacker of the Year – Brandon Mincey, ILB
Top Offensive Back of the Year – Geno Hess, RB
Ken Hargens Defensive Back of the Year – Lawrence Johnson, SS
Willie Ponder Wide Receiver of the Year – Zack Smith, WR
Mike Wood Specialist of the Year – Camden Boyle, LS
L.E.A.D. Award (Love, Effort, Attitude, Discipline) – Daterraion Richardson, NT
Vogelsang Defensive MVP – Omardrick Douglas, OLB
Vogelsang Offensive MVP – Geno Hess, RB
Team MVP – Zack Smith, WR