Charleston, Missouri - "It was probably the greatest win so far in my career,"  stated head football coach Justin Peden.  "It was a great win for the guys and they worked  hard for it.  I am very very proud of each and every one of them."

With starting quarterback, Peyton Pollock, out for the game, D.J. Dowdy stepped up and gave his all Friday night against the Bluejays.  "We knew going in it was going to be a close game.  We've been hit hard with injuries all season, but I had faith in the team and felt they could pull this off with a great win," continued Peden.

The first quarter was pretty difficult to watch for Bearcat fans.  It was homecoming for Charleston and they wanted a win.  The first two touchdowns by the Bluejays gave them a 14 point advantage starting the second quarter.  Rontavious Clark ran for a 23 yard touchdown along with Robert Bogan who ran a two yard touchdown in the last minute of the first quarter.  Then just inside the 2nd quarter, Clark made an impressive 81 yard touchdown that increased the lead to a 20-0 game.

Bearcat fans were starting to think Charleston had this one in the bag, with just 7 minutes remaining in the half, Ethan Stevens ran the ball in from the one and scored.  MaKayla Waldner's extra point kick was good.  It was not 20-7 and still half of a football game to go. 

Once the marching Bluejays completed their half-time performance it was back to business for the Bearcats.  "Come on Bearcats!  We got this!" a spectator yelled from the crowd.  "Go Bearcats" chants could be heard from the stands and DHS cheerleaders shouted "Let's Go Bearcats!"

It was a battle for sure, but with just 5:50 left on the clock in the 3rd quarter, Mike Kellum passed to Robert Bogan for 30 yards for another Bluejay touchdown.  The two point conversion was stopped by the Bearcats.  Charleston 26 - Dexter 7.

In the 3rd quarter, D.J. Dowdy passed the ball to Jonathan Foels for 24 yards and a Bearcat touchdown, but the two point conversion was no good.  Charleston 26 - Dexter 13. 

Still not wanting to give up, the Bearcats were able to stop the Bluejays and take over on a punt return at the 36 yard line. "We just started giving D.J. the run-pass option and let it roll.  He a scrambler."  stated Peden.  "He was able to take advantage and he did an awesome job for the team tonight.  He had some big plays tonight"

If anyone wanted a win, it was the DHS football team and their coaching staff.  They needed this win.  They wanted this win. They required the confidence to show they are a great football team! 

The Bearcats were able to capitalize on a couple of major drives in the second half and that's all the confidence they needed to deliver the game winning touchdown with just minutes remaining in the game. 

The battle between the cats and the birds intensified even more in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter.

Carson Dean ran up the middle for 5 yards and scored another Bearcat touchdown just inside of 3 minutes into the 4th quarter.  MaKayla Waldner's kick was good.  Charleston 26 - Dexter 20.   Giving the Bearcats hope of winning another game this season!

With just 2:53 left on the clock, D.J. Dowdy once again found Ethan Steven for a 13 yard touchdown. This was probably the most incredible play of the game.  The score was not tied 26-26.  You could hear fans calling HER name!  "Go MaKayla!!"

Makayla Waldner came through for the Bearcats with the extra point kick giving the 'Cats their first lead of the night and the game winning point!  Dexter 27 - Charleston 26.

It was an amazing moment for the Dexter football team.  The fans were cheering so loud during the kick-off you could barely hear the coaches yelling their plays.  Charleston still had time left on the clock.  Enough time to score.  They were on the 32 yard line with less than 2 minutes remaining. 

The very next play was the moment of a lifetime for Noah Kronk.  He intercepted a 64 yard pass thrown by Charleston quarterback Mike Kellum!  Dexter took a knee on its next play to secure the victory, 27-26!  Way to go Bearcats!

Dexter out-tackled Charleston 48-37.  Drake Mitchell, Dylan Bazarian, and Trevor Waldner each had 12 tackles and as it was well noticed by coach Peden.  "They came out tonight and proved it!  I couldn't be more proud!" commented coach Peden.  "Mitchell, Waldner, and Bazarian were amazing tonight with 12 tackles each.  We preached all week to shut them down and they did it!"

It was quite the tag team with Ethan Stevens and D.J. Dowdy during the game.  D.J. and Ethan both switched up quite a bit passing and receiving.  Dowdy was 18 of 34 for 200 yards throwing two touchdowns.  Stevens was 4 of 7 for 91 yards and scored twice during the game, once earning a catch the other running the ball into the end zone.

MaKayla Waldner was 3 for 3 on extra point attempts giving the the extra edge needed to win the game.

Carson Dean had 16 carries for 112 yards along with D.J. Dowdy who carried the ball for 14 yards.  Jonathan Foels had nine catches for 117 yards.  Tim Spence had six catches for 106 yards.

It was quite the team effort tonight and if the Bearcats continue they will continue to be a successful football team.

"Ethan Stevens threw some and D.J. Dowdy has experience.  With the field in their hands something great was going to happen.  Carson Dean got over 100 yards and I expect great things to come from this sophomore," commented Peden

Dexter was great on the field with 22 first downs and passing for 291 yards.  Total yards for the night were 399. Way to go Bearcats!

"Wins like this are the ones you talk about and share with your grandchildren!  They just did an absolutely awesome job tonight!  This is one for Bearcat history and with an on the road win. "

Dexter (2-5) will be back in action on Friday night when they travel to Park Hills to battle with Central High School (7-0).  Game time is 7:00 p.m.  This one's going to be a tough one and we need all the Bearcat spirit we can muster to help the team to victory!  Let's show our support this week!!