Fall is a busy time for all ages around Dexter, and nothing is different for the Dexter Parks & Recreation Little League Football Program.

With sign-ups complete and players all assigned to their respective teams, Tuesday night was the first step in realizing a dream for many of these young athletes: to one day become a Bearcat under the lights of Charles Bland Stadium on Friday nights.

The little league football program was started in the 1970‘s. A group of businessmen and dads from the Dexter area noted that there was no such program for their sons to learn the game in. They all came together to purchase the equipment and organize what is now known as the Dexter Little League Football program.

Names such as Sonny Jones, Darrell Hicks, and Marty Poetz, among others, have long since been forgotten for their contribution to getting the league up and running, but the excitement for the league has not changed over the years.

Under the supervision of the Parks and Rec Department of Dexter, Jamie Rowe and her team are extremely busy continuing the tradition. There is a tremendous amount of work as equipment is handed out, forms are processed, and kids are divided up into teams.

The league has always been structured around teaching the techniques and fundamentals of football. Obviously, the spirit of competition never leaves the game, but the DPR’s leadership has done a great job over the years, keeping a balance of competition and education within the league.

One of the greatest events this league provides is the 'Day With Bearcat Football' program. For several hours, one Saturday morning a year, these youngsters hit the DHS practice field to learn from none other than the Dexter Bearcat Varsity Football team, under the supervision of the DHS coaching staff.

Practices began Tuesday (Aug. 30) night for all four teams in the league. Coaches for the 2011 Season are:



The young Bearcats will practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until their season begins on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The season opener will find the Red Team vs the Black Team at 9:30 AM followed by the Blue Team vs the Green Team at 11:30 AM.

Make plans to come out and support the young gridiron gang on Saturdays throughout the fall at Charles Bland Stadium. The games are always fun and entertaining for everyone, especially the annual night game when these youngsters get a taste of the ‘Friday Night Lights’. This year, the night games will be held on two separate nights on September 27th and 29th.

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For the full 2011 Little League Football schedule, click here.
For the full 2011 Little League Football roster, click here.

Thanks to SMT Reader Leigh Ann Kincy for the pictures!

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Lady ‘Cats picked up their first district win during Tuesday night’s home opener against the Kennett Lady Indians.


Despite a less than perfect performance against Richland the night before, head coach Lauren Hutchcraft is pleased with her team’s performance so far, and is glad that her players are getting some valuable experience before they face some stiffer competition.

“I'm glad we've got two games under our belt since we're going up against Jackson on Thursday,” Hutchcraft noted.

The JV squad dropped Kennett in straight sets, 25-9, 25-12; the freshman group of girls continue an undefeated streak running to when they started playing school ball in the seventh grade!


In Varsity action, the ‘Cats took the first set 25-9, largely due to outstanding some outstanding serving from libero Erika Mouser (3 aces), Lindsey Hindman (2 aces), McKenzie MItchell, and Hannah Noe (1 ace each).

Despite taking the second set 25-18, Hutchcraft felt the Lady ‘Cats struggled defensively.

“Because the first set was won by quite a bit, I think the girls went in on that second set not as prepared and ready as they were in the first set,” Hutchcraft said.  “There were some plays where we had some miscommunication, and some bad passes off serve-receive. A couple times my girls went over the line or were in the net.  Those things, as well as a few missed serves, cost us points.”

“I feel my girls' effort tonight was overall better than last night against Richland, but it's still nothing compared to what I saw of the girls over the summer,” Hutchcraft added.


With the win, the Lady ‘Cats move to 2-0 on the season, but they face a tough opponent in their next contest: the Jackson Lady Indians. Hutchcraft gave high praise to the Bearcats’ upcoming opponent.

“Jackson  has traditionally always had a very solid, good volleyball program,” Hutchcraft noted.  “They've got a wonderful coaching staff, so I know their girls are well-prepared for Thursday night.  We went to three sets with Jackson last year, so I'm thinking it should be a good game. We are going to have to be on top of our game in all areas: hitting, serving, defense, and blocking.”

“I also hope to see and hear lots of Dexter fans rooting on their Dexter volleyball players!” Hutchcraft added.

The Lady ‘Cats will face off against the Jackson Lady Indians this Thursday (Sept. 1). The JV is scheduled to kick things off at 6:00 p.m., with Varsity action immediately following.

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Photo Above:
Senior McKenzie Mitchell tries to fire up her team after a good play. Mitchell ended the contest with five digs, four kills, four aces, and was 8/9 from the service line. SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Dexter Lady Bearcat tennis team opened their season with an outstanding performance on Tuesday afternoon. The Lady ‘Cats traveled to Charleston to face off against the Lady Bluejays in a varsity-only matchup.

Dexter won every match during the day, and blanked the Lady Bluejays in five of the nine matches in the contest.

Senior Jessica Snider providing the most entertaining match of the day.

Snider, who faced senior Makayla Thompson, battled back from a big deficit to claim the 8-6 win.


“Jessica’s match was hard fought,” head coach Leanne Dooley said. “Jess came back from being down 1-4 early.”

Snider was also involved in the closest doubles match of the day; along with partner Shanna Gant, the duo downed Thompson and Dazique Gillespie 8-2.


The Lady ‘Cats have their first home match Wednesday afternoon, when they take on the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs.


The match is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start.

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Photo Above:
Shanna Gant returns a serve during a summer practice. Gant won both her singles and doubles matches in the Lady 'Cats' season opener against Charleston. SMT File Photo by Andrew Cato.

Matt Miller of Dexter was the winner of the first week of the ShowMe Time’s Pigskin Pick'Em Challenge with a total of 20 out of 22 points possible.

“We just started Week Two and I am personally excited about this week, because it is the start of college football, which is what I live for in football season,” said Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor. “It’s never too late to start playing Pigskin Pick’Em. Everybody’s going to have that week in the season when maybe their picks aren’t that great. This is especially true given the overwhelming number of suspensions in college football and the injuries and contract holdouts in the NFL preseason.”

All points earned by players roll over each week of the contest to go toward the finale and the Grand Prize of a 42-inch flatscreen television. First place this week was Miller, second Kurt Lovelady, third place was Dustin Benson. Winners of the weekly drawings were Denny Putnam and Kim Lacy.

Weekly prizes are awarded on a weekly point-total basis with the top three players getting prizes from the ShowMe Times and our sponsors. In addition, there are two randomly drawn prizewinners each week. To be fair to all players, an individual can win only one prize per week.

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Photo Above: ShowMe Times Sports Editor Andrew Cato presents Matt Miller with his prizes as the first week's winner in the Pigskin Pick'Em Challenge.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

After several weeks of hot practices, the Lady Bearcat tennis team opens its season this afternoon, when they hit the road to face the Lady Bluejays of Charleston.

Head coach Leanne Dooley - who also heads the men’s team - expects great things out of the 2011 rendition of the squad.

“We’re going to have a dandy team this year,” Dooley said. “We’ve got a lot of good athletes coming in, especially some of these basketball players.”

The Lady ‘Cats have a slightly lopsided schedule this year. The squad alternates between ‘away, home, away’ in their first three games, and then have six straight home matches.

They close the season with five straight road matches leading into the District Tournament on October 6.

The Lady ‘Cats have three matches this week: they open the season today at Charleston. Wednesday (Aug. 31), they face off with Sikeston at home. Thursday (Sept. 1), the squad goes back on the road against the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules.


All matches this week are scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start.

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Photo Above: Haley Hubbard returns a serve during one of the 'Cats' many practice sessions this summer.