CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri's football team took the field for the first time this spring Monday morning at Houck Field.
 
SEMO began its series of 15 spring practices which will culminate with the team's annual Rowdy Bowl game on Apr. 26.
 
The Redhawks have 91 players participating in this year's spring session which begins more than three months after the team celebrated its Ohio Valley Conference-Big South Association regular-season title and NCAA FCS Playoff berth.
 
SEMO brings back a total of 12 starters from last year's squad, including five players on offense and seven on defense.
 
The Redhawks also return five All-OVC-Big South performers, including kicker DC Pippin, wide receiver Cam Pedro, outside linebacker McCoy Casey, defensive lineman Nasim Cairo and defensive back Justus Johnson.
 
A big focus as SEMO starts its preparation for the upcoming 2025 season will be at the quarterback spot following the departure of three-year starter Paxton DeLaurent.
 
Returnees Carter Hensley, Patrick Heitert and Johnny Weber, along with San Diego Mesa College transfer Jax Leatherwood are taking the snaps this spring. Leatherwood stands at 6'8" and 242 pounds as the tallest player on the Redhawks roster.
 
Tom Matukewicz is in his 12th year as SEMO's head coach.
 
2025 SEMO Football Spring Schedule
Monday, March 24 – Practice #1
Wednesday, March 26 – Practice #2
Friday, March 28 – Practice #3
Monday, March 31 – Practice #4
Wednesday, April 2 – Practice #5
Friday, April 4 – Practice #6
Monday, April 7 – Practice #7
Wednesday, April 9 – Practice #8 
Friday, April 11 – Practice #9
Monday, April 14 – Practice #10
Wednesday, April 16 – Practice #11
Friday, April 18 – Practice #12
Monday, April 21 – Practice #13
Wednesday, April 23 – Practice #14
Saturday, April 26 – Rowdy Bowl, 6 p.m. (Houck Field)
 
All practices generally run from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and are held at Houck Field