Dexter, Missouri - With the Dexter Bearcats (1-5) returning to the field after a tough loss to New Madrid County Central, Coach Peden says they are looking good for tonight's game against the Charleston Blue Jays.  The Bluejays won last year by 8 points and are leading historically winning 34 of the 58 games played between the two.

"The guys have really been focused all week and we have had some really good practices.  A lot of our younger guys have stepped up because of injuries and have been very impressive."

Head Football Coach Peden stated they have have been focusing on stopping Charleston's running game and forcing them to throw.  "I think that if we do that and execute offensively we will be successful and have a winning game."

Coach Brett Blackman and his Charleston Bluejays are 3-3 this season and 1-2 in District play.  They beat Kennett 40-20 so it's going to be a close game.  "Charleston is a good football team, but if we play a full game, all four quarters to the best of ability, we will be fine," stated Coach Peden.

"That's our biggest challenge to make sure we play a complete game," continued Peden.  "As coaches we have been trying to instill a sense of confidence in the players.  We are a good football team, and we could be a great one if we just play that complete game we have been looking for all season."

"This football team is a part of my family.  I believe in them.  I know they can get the job done!"

As for who is our starting quarterback for tonight's game, you'll just have to come out and cheer for the Bearcats!  Peyton Pollock took a beating against the NMCC last week.  He has thrown for 676 yards and five touchdowns and only three interceptions.  Let's hope he's ready to play tonight.  The Bearcats have several on the injury list.  We pray for their speedy recovery!

Game time is 7:00 p.m. in Charleston.  Go Bearcats!!!!

Essex, Missouri – In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is filled with Dig Pink volleyball games, where all the athletes trade their normal attire for everything pink. Richland recently had their Dig Pink game on Monday night, October 7^th against the Charleston Blue Jays. It was an exciting game for both JV and Varsity and the stands were packed with supporting fans from both teams.

Dig Pink games are a great way to raise money for local people in our community that are battling cancer. Although it is a physical and emotional battle for these people and their families, it is also a financial battle, which is why the volleyball team worked hard to raise money for this special occasion. The team sold Dig Pink t-shirts and donated the profit to the Ben Kruze 18 Fore Life Foundation. In honor of this special night, they wore pink jerseys, bows, and shoelaces for their game.

Although it is a Dig Pink game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the athletes and students did their part to support awareness for multiple kinds of cancers. Each player created a jersey to hang on the wall that supported the awareness of Hodgkins Lymphoma, Stomach Cancer, Breast Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, and Leukemia. Different colored ribbons were hung all over the gym for this special night. The students and teammates made multiple signs to hang around the gymnasium to show their support to all of the fighters in our community.

Students also got the opportunity to recognize family members or friends that fought the battle against cancer by paying $1 to hang up a volleyball made with pink paper with their name on it. The walls of the high school hallways were covered in volleyballs and hundreds of names to those who are being remembered, recognized, or honored.

During the first game, Richland began to pull ahead and use their stronger defensive players, including junior Regan Manes. Although the Lady Blue Jays put up a fight against the Lady Rebels, the team, coaches, and fans were ecstatic when they won the first game against their opponents. Although it was a very close call, the Rebels made it out with their first win of the night with a score of 25 to 16.

JV led the fight after putting up the first exciting game of the night. Richland and the Blue Jays had a tough battle against each other, but the Blue Jays eventually stole the lead and pulled ahead, winning with a six point gap with a score of 25 to 19.

Their third game was another close call, the home team stole the lead from the Lady Blue Jays and Richland’s JV team took the last win, winning two out of the three games with a score of 25 to 18.

The JV team really set the stage for the varsity with their close and exciting games. The Varsity Lady Blue Jays took the court and took the lead right from the start. The Lady Rebels barely trailed right behind them, but the visiting team eventually took the first win of the varsity set with a score of 25 to 15.

The second game was another exciting game because the Lady Rebels pulled ahead of the visiting team. Hitter and senior Mackenzie Williams had multiple points throughout the night, along with senior Kat Rofkahr. The players did an excellent job and it was by far the best game of the night as they beat their opponents and moved into a third game with a score of 25 to 23.

The last game was the most anticipated game of the night and by far the most exciting. It was make it or break it for both teams, just like it was for JV. Charleston played hard and stole the lead from the home team and ended the night with a win for the Varsity Lady Blue Jays with a score of 25 to 21. The Rebels put up a good fight but even with their loss, they were proud of all the hard work that was put into Dig Pink so that it was a fun and successful night for everyone who participated.

Dexter, Missouri -  The Dexter High School Volleyball Team is helping those who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families.  Each year the girls donate proceeds collected from one of their October games to the 18Fore Life Foundation and Breast Cancer.

The court will be decked out in Pink so get YOUR PINK ON and come and cheer for the Dexter Lady 'Cats!

Tonight the "Hits for Hope" volleyball game will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Bearcat Event Center.  The Bearcats will be competing against the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules.

Shown in the photo are: Back Row from left to right - Rhonda Robinson, Asst. Coach, Brittany Brown, Ashlynn Wyman, Emily Page, Janie Lindsey, Harley Allen, Lauren Thrower, Paige Chasteen, Madison McConnell and Carmen Morgan, Head Coach.

Front Row from left to right - Kendall Adams, Delaney Pullen, Shyann Jines, Alyssa Spear, Ashley Brown, Julia Hahn, Jessica Lindsey, and Ashlyn Werneck.

Dexter, Missouri - The T S Hill Middle School Football program was busy on Tuesday night at Charles "Seed" Bland stadium as they hosted the Eagles of New Madrid County Central in both a seventh and eighth grade match.  First year Head Coach James Sneed has been proud of his junior high "Cats as they reach the end of the 2013 season.  The 7th grade team has posted a record of 4 and 2 on the 2013 season. 

Both teams are an exceptional group of athletes filled with both quick specialty players and strong linemen.  The future looks incredibly bright for these two age groups as they continue to work toward the Friday night lights at Dexter High School.  

7TH GRADE FOOTBALL

With an early start time of 5:00 o'clock, the parents and fans hurried to the stadium after work to get to the game.  But it would be worth their rush during the seventh grade game as the Bearcats defeated the Eagles by a score of 12 to 0.  

The Bearcats got on the scoreboard early in the first quarter as #16 Caleb Hoggard tucked away the football and dashed over 50-yards for the first points of the game.  Hoggard was able to catch some daylight created by his big, strong offensive line that consists of Luke Boyer, Hunter Lawrence, Garrison Collier, Travis Propst and Brock Simmons.  The extra point attempt failed but the Bearcats took the initial lead in the game 6 to 0.  

At that point, the game turned into a hard fought match between defensive units.    The seventh grade unit was filled with outstanding defensive play throughout the night with outstanding play by many of the defensive unit of the 'Cats.  Braxton Foster did an outstanding job from his defensive end position.  Other defensive standouts for Dexter included defensive lineman Cory Diaz, linebacker Corbin Strong and Cornerback Nate Gargas.

As the second half began, the same solid defensive play continued for both teams.  Both teams found success in moving the football but could not convert the yardage into points. 

In one of the biggest plays of the night, cornerback Nate Gargas for the Bearcats came up with a huge hit for lost yardage, causing a fumble that was recovered by 70 Hunter Lawrence.  Gargas had a standout night and will prove to be an outstanding future Bearcat.

Following the fumble, the Bearcat's offense seemed to have a different spark.  With 2:49 remaining in the game,  Bearcat running back, Caleb Hoggard, got behind his big strong offensive line again and delivered a 22 yard touchdown run.  The two-point conversion failed again making the score in the closing minutes 12 to 0 in favor of the Bearcats.  

In their last posession, NMCC looked to be mounting an offensive attack of their own, until 84 Eric Hahn picked off a pass from the Eagles quarterback to give the "Cat's another chance to put some points on the board. 

Bearcat running back ,Corbin Strong, picked up over 25-yards on on a sweep play around the end.  Strong #41 continued his relentless search for the endzone in the final drive taking the Bearcats deep into Eagles territory.  With just under a minute left in the game, Dexter took the victory formation and ran out the clock making the final score 12 to 0.  

For the final time this 2013 season, the 7th Grade team chanted in their final huddle "1 - 2 - 3 - BEARCATS" and put a great season to rest until next year.  They ended the season with 2 wins and 2 losses on the year, with wins over Chaffee and tonight's win against New Madrid County Central.  The pads were all checked in and many of the boys will move on to the Middle School basketball season, already in progress.  


EIGHTH GRADE FOOTBALL

The eighth grade contest proved to be a strong competition from the first whistle.  New Madrid won the toss and received the opening kickoff and began to move the football down the field with authority.  The Bearcat defense tightened up but was unable to stop #4 Shawn Thomas of the Eagles as he rounded the left end and headed to the endzone.  With 4:39 remaining in the first quarter, the two point conversion failed.

Woodson of Dexter returned the kickoff to the 44 yard line. Woodson was crafty with his moves and picked his steps well as he broke loose on a 30-yard run.  Upon being tackled from behind, he coughed up the football giving the ball back to the Eagles on the 22-yard line.  Exchange of offside penalties then left a 3rd Down and 8.  The Eagles backed up to pass and Marcus Woodson came close to picking off the pass in the flats, forcing the Eagles to punt.  

At the 1:29 of the first quarter, Ben Sindle took the ball at the 47 yard line around the right end and raced down the sidelines into the end zone for a touchdown.  Marcus Woodson was given the ball on a middle dive and the 2-point conversion was good.   The Bearcat took the lead back from the Eagles by a score of 08 to 06.

Unfortunately, the Bearcats were only able to keep the lead for 11 seconds.  On the ensuing kickoff, New Madrid found an unguarded lane on the kickoff team and was able to return the ball over 60 yards for an Eagles touchdown.  The 2-point conversion was good, quickly putting the Eagles back on top by a score of 14 to 08.

The Bearcats could not put the wheels back on the offensive machine the remainder of the game.  New Madrid continued their breakaway running style and was able to stack up an additional 12 points on the scoreboard.  The final score ended in favor of the New Madrid County Eagles with the score 36 to 8.

The eighth graders will have their final game this Thursday at Charles Bland Stadium when they take on Charleston Bluejays.  Game time will begin at 6:00 PM.  Fans and friends of the program are encouraged to come out and support these young men.

Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Cape Girardeau, Missouri – The Lady ‘Cats had a very long evening, but their hard work and determination paid off beating the almost invincible Notre Dame Lady Bulldogs.  Dexter now 11-4 earned a chance to compete for a district title and only the Kennett Lady Indians are standing in their way.

This also may have been the longest match this season lasting well over 5 hours.  MaKayla Waldner had one of the longest singles matches that lasted 3 hours 15 minutes.  She was able to defeat Reagan Kapp 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.  Way to go MaKayla!!

“We played Notre Dame much better this time than last,” Dexter’s head tennis coach Kurt Loveday said.   “They beat us 9-0 and 5-4 during regular season.”

Kendra Stevenson beat Madline Walker 6-4, 6-4 and Taylor Owens defeated Greta Goodin 7-5, 6-2 to complete the three single wins.

Notre Dame was not down yet, they came back to tie it 4-4 when Carly Hopkins and Reagan Kapp defeated Baylee Cooper and Erica Morgan 6-1, 7-5.  The team of Waldner-Stevenson was not to be out down, they secured a win when they beat Walker-Soutar 7-5, 6-3. 

That a great night of action for the Lady ‘Cats Tennis Team with the lights going out to moving to another location to the longest singles match of the season and BEATING Notre Dame I am sure the girls are excited to play this afternoon

VARSITY SINGLES

No. 1 - Carly Hopkins (ND) defeated Baylee Cooper 6-0, 6-0

No. 2 - Makayla Waldner (D) defeated Reagan Kapp 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

No. 3 - Kendra Stevenson (D) defeated Madeline Walker 6-4, 6-4

No. 4 - Adele Soutar (ND) defeated Erica Morgan 6-3, 2-6, 6-4

No. 5 - Taylor Owens (D) defeated Greta Goodin 7-5, 6-2

No. 6 - Emily Young (ND) defeated Mary Kate Miller 6-3, 6-2

VARSITY DOUBLES

No. 1 - Kapp-Hopkins (ND) defeated Cooper-Morgan 6-1, 7-5

No. 2 - Waldner-Stevenson (D) defeated Walker-Soutar 7-5, 6-3

No. 3 - Owens-Miller (D) def. Goodin-Young 6-2, 1-6, 7-5

Dexter will play in Kennett this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. for the District Championship.  The Kennett Lady Indians are the seven-time defending district champs and are undefeated. Let’s Go Bearcats!!!