Kennett's Hilburn to sign with Southeast football team

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz's message to Kennett senior Bud Hilburn throughout his recruitment and Kennett coach Aaron Pixley's description of Hilburn as a player were nearly one in the same.

"I think Coach Tuke's message the whole time is just, 'Come in, do your job, work as hard as you can and I think things will be OK,'" Pixley said. "It's pretty obvious that Coach Tuke is all about work ethic and great attitude and great character, and I believe those are the things he's preached to Bud the whole time, and his staff has preached that -- and Bud's that kind of guy. He's a big reason that we've started to turn the corner here at Kennett."

The linebacker will sign a National Letter of Intent to play at Southeast on Wednesday morning, according to Pixley.

"He's always the first one in the weight room, the last one out, and he's the poster child of what hardwork can do for you," Pixley said. "And that's why he's signing with SEMO tomorrow."

Hilburn helped the Indians to a 6-6 record and a runner-up finish in Class 3 District 1 last season.

Pixley said that Hilburn's work ethic -- in the weightroom, classroom and at practice -- contributed to his successful senior campaign.

Hilburn, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker, who also played on the offensive line, was a first-team all-state and first-team all-region selection.

He earned a spot on the SEMO Central conference first-team defense and was the Defensive Player of the Year for the Southeast Missouri Area Football Coaches Association all-region voting.

Hilburn finished the season with 141 tackles -- 70 solo and 71 assists -- and recorded 29 tackles for loss. He also tallied seven sacks and forced five fumbles.

After the Kennett coaching staff sent film of Hilburn to Southeast during the season, the Redhawks got in contact with him and "did it the right way," Pixley said, referring to the fact that the coaches consistently showed interest.

"Once they started recruiting him they never really let up," Pixley said. "It's not like we heard from them one day and didn't hear from them for two months. I stayed in contact with different coaches, they stayed in contact with me.

"I think Coach Tuke's committed to getting the best kids from Southeast Missouri to SEMO and they did a good job of recruiting him. He really likes the coaching staff there, and he likes the fact that Coach Tuke and his staff is really all about hard work and turning it around. I think he'll be a great fit for SEMO."

Hilburn attended Southeast's 42-7 victory over Austin Peay on Nov. 15 for an unofficial visit, had an in-home visit with Matukewicz and took his official visit last weekend.

"He fell in love with it," Pixley said. "That's where he wants to go, and I know they're getting a good one."