Southeast Kieron James and Ranch's Matt Farhat earn honors

Former Southeast defensive back Kieron James and Lakewood Ranch offensive lineman Matt Farhat won honorable mention honors in their just completed collegiate seasons.

James, who played defensive back and some quarterback at Southeast, finished his junior year at FCS (formerly I-AA) Western Illinois University where he ranked 49th nationally in passes defended (0.91 per game and was one of the top defensive backs in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The six-foot, 190 pound James led WIU with three interceptions and had an impressive 45 total tackles, including 29 solos. He was credited with seven pass breakups to go along with his three picks.

Charles Chestnut, another Southeast product, also completed his junior year at WIU. The receiver was second on his team with 23 catches and 296 reception yards.

Enock Presidendieu, a 6-4, 280 pound offensive lineman also from Southeast, finished his career for the Fighting Leathernecks.

Farhat earned honorable mention honors in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) in completing his junior year at the University of Charleston. He helped pave the way for the team's higher powered run game and for Adrien Jenkins, a Southeast High graduate.

A junior, Jenkins finished third for Charleston in total offense with 254 yards amassed on 256 yards rushing, 142 receiving and 28 yards on kick returns.

Adrien Jenkins and other Southeast alumni shine on college level

Sometimes you have to do things that make you feel uncomfortable.

It’s particularly tough when you have a resume filled with blank spaces due to some personal mishaps.

But Adrien Jenkins took that risk and it paid huge dividends when he ran for a collegiate career record 168 yards and two touchdowns on only 14 carries in sparking the University of Charleston to a 49-35 victory over Seton Hill last Saturday.

In Charleston’s previous game, the Southeast High product did not touch the ball. He went to the coaches and asked them to give him more of a role in the offense.

“I didn’t demand the ball. I don’t like to do that. I just asked for a bigger role than just blocking,” Jenkins said. “I felt like I could be a playmaker and if they didn’t want me in that role I wanted to go to defense. Fortunately they gave me the opportunity. I felt like my old self again, the one that played for Southeast.”

Jenkins 14 yard per carry average was impressive. The junior had touchdown runs of 52 and 26 yards, which were the two longest of the game for Charleston.

Another Southeast product, defensive back Kieron James, is having a solid year for FCS Western Illinois. The junior is fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference with five passes defended and leads the Leathernecks with 1.5 sacks, four pass breakups and four deflections, and has 17 tackles.

Receiver Charles Chestnut and offensive lineman Enock Presendieu, also from Southeast, have made key contributions to WIU.