It is not rare for a group of high school friends to follow each other to college. The familiarity of a group of friends helps ease the transition from high school to the college atmosphere. It also helps all parties involved become comfortable with their new surroundings at their own pace. What is rare is finding a trio of high school athletes that follow each other from high school to a small college and eventually to a larger four-year institution. That is, however, exactly what the 2000 Southeast Missouri State football team has.

Current Southeast seniors Corey Chester, Demond Williams, and Kemirth Williams all attended Mitchell-Baker High School in the small town of Camilla, Georgia. At Mitchell-Baker, the trio led their high school to a Georgia State Championship and racked up numerous individual honors. When it was time to attend college, although heavily recruited by colleges with high-profile football programs like Florida, Florida State, and Georgia, the trio found themselves at Missouri Valley College, a small NAIA school in Marshall, Missouri

After a season at Missouri Valley where each broke into the starting lineup, the trio ended up at Southeast. Individually, all three players have had solid careers for the Indians.

Corey, a Health Management major, brings speed to the Southeast attack. The wide receiver will try to utilize his speed by also returning kickoffs and punts at times during the season. Last season, Chester was hampered by an ankle injury but still managed 22 catches for 274 yards and a touchdown and returned 10 kickoffs for 219 yards. As a sophomore, Chester ranked 18th nationally in kickoff returns with a 26.47 average. So far in 2000, Chester has caught seven passes for a total of 37 yards.

Demond, a pre-Physical Therapy/Sports Management major, was a standout for Mitchell-Baker. He was named Offensive Player of the Year by Blue Chip All-American magazine, in part for playing several positions including quarterback, wide receiver, running back, and tight end. Demond also played baseball for Mitchell-Baker where he was named the best outfielder on the team. Demond's success can partially be attributed to genetics, as two of his brothers, Robert and Anthony, play football and baseball respectively for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. At Southeast, Demond has primarily seen action as a defensive lineman and on the special teams unit. So far in 2000, Demond has nine total tackles.

Kemirth, an Athletic Training/Sports Management major, was also highly honored at Mitchell-Baker. He was named to the First-Team All-South Defense squad as a linebacker. At Southeast, Kemirth has seen limited action at linebacker due to several injuries but has found a home on the special teams unit. Barring injury, this season KeMirth should see more action at linebacker. So far in 2000, KeMirth has 11 total tackles and a forced fumble.

What started out as a friendship as teammates in Camilla, Georgia ended up taking Corey, Demond, and KeMirth all the way to Missouri Valley College and ultimately to Southeast Missouri State. From that journey, each of these players has evolved into a solid performer who has made solid contributions for their teams.