The Dexter JV Team traveled to New Madrid on Monday night to take on the NMCC Eagles in the opening Junior Varsity contest of the 2011 Season. Hopes were extremely high for the young ‘Cats, as they are are full of talent and should prove to be very competitive throughout the season.

The game started on a rough note for the ‘Cats, when the opening kickoff by New Madrid was fumbled. The Eagles' T.J. Clark recovered the fumble and returned it for an Eagles touchdown. The Eagles failed the 2-point conversion, leaving the score at 6-0.

The Bearcat defense stepped up to break the ice by stopping New Madrid in their own endzone for a safety, making the score 6-2.

The ‘Cats offensive machine finally got rolling as quarterback D.J. Dowdy handed off to Brad Wick. Wick powered his way through the Eagles defense for a Bearcat touchdown. The two-point conversion was good with Dowdy's run into the endzone.

The Eagles, however, were not finished as quarterback Willie Jimerson answered with a touchdown of his own. The two-point conversion was no good.

With only 27 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter, Jonathan Foels broke a big 80 yard touchdown run, but the two-point conversion failed. At the end of an action packed 1st quarter of play, Dexter held a 16-12 lead.

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Hand off from Bearcat's quarterback D J Dowdy to his running back Jonathan Foels during Monday nights 24-20 victory over the New Madrid County Central Eagles.

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The flow of the game changed in the second quarter - both teams exchanged their high-powered offenses for a defensive battle. Neither team found the end zone leaving the score unchanged going into halftime.

The offensive shootout resumed in the second half - NMCC scored another touchdown 20 seconds into the frame to take a 20-16 lead.

The Bearcats would not be denied as Dillon Bazarian took a hand off from Dowdy at the 2:57 mark and added another touchdown to the Bearcats' total. Dowdy’s pass to Stevie Payne on the two point conversion was complete, giving the 'Cats a 24-20 lead.

The defense for the Bearcats took control of the football game from that point on. Dowdy made some great plays in the defensive backfield. With a little over a minute left in the 3rd quarter, Dowdy came up with a key interception to stop New Madrid’s offensive drive.

No better defense could have been found than in the final minute of the football game. New Madrid County was driving hard to get back on the scoreboard when the Bearcats' Dakota Southerland came up with a huge second down sack of Jimmerson. Jordan Miller broke up a pass on the third down play,and when all the chips were on the table, Holden Bruce was able to smash all of the Eagles' hopes as he broke through the line of scrimmage, sacking the Eagle's quarterback.

The Bearcats took possession of the football and sent the 'victory formation' out on the field. Dowdy took a knee to run out the clock and hand the JV 'Cats a 24-20 win.

The JV Bearcats will be at home next Monday (Sept. 5) night, when they face the Malden Green Wave at Charles Bland Stadium. Everyone is encouraged to come out and show your support of our young Bearcat athletes. This is a talented group of young men on the JV squad this season, and will be a lot of fun to watch.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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