Southeastern Set for Home Opener Versus ATU

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern will open the 2022 season in the comforts of Paul Laird Field when it hosts Arkansas Tech on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m.
 
The Savage Storm come into the season picked to finish third in the Great American Conference preseason poll, aiming to retain its momentum from a nine-win 2021 season.
 
The Wonder Boys enter the season picked ninth after posting four wins a season ago.
 
The last time the two teams squared off, Southeastern opened the 2021 season with a commanding victory in Russellville, Ark., downing ATU 38-20.
 
Southeastern return 20 players, 10 on each side of the ball, who saw starts a season ago, and welcome back six all-conference performers, led by GAC Defensive Player of the Year Maalik Hall who racked up 12 tackles for loss and six sacks a season ago.
 
Joining him on the defensive side of the ball are Kevin Simes who took home second team honors, as well as Ja'Lon Freeman and Josh Mulumba who both picked up honorable mention honors.
 
On offense, SE returns Daulton Hatley at quarterback after setting the school record for passing touchdowns in a season last season with 27, while tossing for over 3,000 yards.
 
He will operate behind a line that returns all-GAC performers DeJante Granger and James Walker, while targeting one of the most talented receiving corps in the nation, led by all-conference receiver Braxton Kincade.
 
ATU comes in off a 4-7 season and will new faces across across its skill positions on offense, while its offensive line returns seven offensive linemen.
 
Defensively, the Wonder Boys return three of their top-four tacklers form last season, led by Tyrus Fort.