Injury ends Speight's career on disappointing note

Unfortunately Todd Speight’s collegiate career didn’t end the way he had hoped because of an injury, but the Southeast grad still accomplished a lot.

Speight suffered an abdominal injury and missed all but one game of the final half of the season for Western Illinois. He is not able to redshirt.

The 5-8, 165 pounder was a pre-season first team All Missouri Valley Conference Football Conference pick and Honorable Mention All-American. As a junior, he was a first team all conference and WIU’s Special Teams Player of The Year.

This season he was only able to return seven punts and 12 kickoffs, but led his team in average return yardage (9.7 per punt/20.2 per kickoff).

Three of his high school teammates from Southeast had good seasons: Kieron James had an interception in a post season victory against Coastal Carolina and a combination of 15 pass deflections/breakups for the season; Sophomore receiver Charles Chestnut caught 18 passes for 222 yards (12.3 avg) and junior offensive lineman Enock Presendieu was a regular starter and one of the leaders in a run game that averaged close to 200 yards rushing per game.

Injury sidelines Todd Speight

Former Southeast High standout Todd Speight has not played since the fifth game of the season for Western Illinois because of an injury.

One of the top return men in the Missouri Valley Conference, the senior was averaging 9.7 yards on seven punt returns and 20.2 yards on 12 kickoff returns.

He was a first team All-MVC special teams selection last season when he ranked 15th nationally in punt returns and 73d in kickoff returns.

He has only played in five games this season after incurring the injury to his rib area following a hard hit. It's not certain if he will play again this season.

Manatee County well represented at WIU

The Manatee County high school football season officially begins Friday Night, but if you look at the Western Illinois roster you might think it opens Thursday.

There will be five Manatee County residents on the Leathernecks roster when they kickoff their season Thursday night at home against Valparaiso.

Leading the way is senior receiver Todd Speight, who is Pre-Season All American Honorable Mention and pre-season first team All Missouri Valley Conference choice. He was an All-Conference Punt Returner last year when he ranked 15th in FCS (I-AA) and 73d in kickoff returns.

The 5-8, 165 pounder is the only player in WIU history to return a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in the same game. He is the younger brother of Southeast quarterback Dyron Speight.

Three former Southeast players are on the team: Enock Presendieu, a junior offensive lineman and sophomores Charles Chestnut (WR) and Kieron James (DB).

The other Manatee County product is sophomore running back Marva Carley, from Palmetto High.