CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri's quarterbacks are used to dealing with lots of pressure. How they embrace it and go about their business is what's going to give this year's team the best opportunity to do something special.
 
"We have a chance to be solid and it all starts in the quarterback room," said fifth-year Offensive Coordinator Jeromy McDowell. "I really believe all these guys are playing at a high level and the decision making has been great. We're trying to continue to be consistent with our execution after those decisions."
 
SEMO has six quarterbacks on its 2022 squad and every one of them is taking advantage of the opportunities they get on the field.
 
"I'm very proud of how well everyone is competing and embracing the challenge," added McDowell. "If we are able to perform and execute at a high level our team has a great opportunity to be successful."
 
This year's race for the starting job has been tight between sophomore Paxton DeLaurent and senior CJ Ogbonna. SEMO will officially name its starting quarterback following its final preseason scrimmage Saturday.
 
DeLaurent, a native of Camdenton, Missouri, transfers to SEMO from Central Methodist where he played quarterback two seasons. As the Eagles starter in 2021, he completed 171-of-349 passes for 2,499 yards and 25 touchdowns. DeLaurent was also the team's top rusher with 553 yards and seven touchdowns. He is very athletic with his 6'5" frame.
 
"Paxton can process in a hurry and that allows him to anticipate throws and use all his weapons at any given time," commented McDowell. "He is a lot more athletic than you would think being so long and tall. He uses the whole field, and he makes the defense defend the entire field every snap."
 
Right there with DeLaurent is Ogbonna, the Redhawks starting signal-caller a year ago. 
 
Ogbonna earned a spot on the Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team after completing 111-of-220 passes for 1,521 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 starts. He ran for 357 yards and another three scores. Ogbonna was fourth in the OVC in passing average (181.3 ypg), fifth in pass efficiency (119.3) and fourth in total offense (170.7 ypg).
 
"CJ is also playing at a high level and the competition piece has been good for him," said McDowell. "He has upped his passing game and is working to be more consistent in that area. He runs the ball well and is having a great camp."
 
Seniors Jacob Buie and Christian Perez are SEMO's other returning quarterbacks.

The most experienced of the group, Buie is in his fifth season as a Redhawk. He played in four games as a backup last year.
 
Meanwhile, Perez was limited to two games with a knee injury in 2021.
 
"Jacob and Christian bring a lot to our room and are very valuable in our system," quoted McDowell.
 
Freshmen Patrick Heitert and Carson Smith are the rest of the QBs.
 
Heitert was a First-Team All-State selection and the Missouri High School Football Coaches Association Class 6 Offensive Player of the Year as a senior at Christian Brothers College High School. He threw for 2,974 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 63 percent (197-of-313) of his passes.
 
Smith is a walk-on from Eureka High School, where he completed 125-of-187 passes for 1,837 yards and 18 touchdowns his senior year.
 
SEMO will wrap up its two-week preseason camp with one last intrasquad scrimmage Saturday. Start time is set for 11 a.m., CT at Houck Field. Classes are scheduled to begin on Aug. 22.