By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Dexter Bearcats will face a tough test on the road Friday night in the Park Hills Central Rebels.


The ‘Cats ended the Rebels’ season during the 2010 Class 3 playoffs in a 28-20 game played at Park Hills. Looking at the final score, it was a game that either team could have won.

“We’ve gotta go to their house. They’re going to be extremely fired up and ready to play,” head coach Aaron Pixley said. “The last time we played them was there in a very good playoff game; a game they think the should have won.”

The Rebels opened their 2011 campaign with a 28-13 win against St. Vincent; the Rebels’ backfield duo - Cody Harrison and Daniel Marler - rushed for over 100 yards each, as PHC racked up 353 total yards on the offensive.


After opening the season against Ste. Genevive - a team that runs a spread offense and attempted 25 passes in 43 plays 0 the Bearcats will have to make some extreme defensive adjustments for the Rebels.

Park Hills runs an offense reminiscient of Gosnell, Ar. (a DHS opponent from days long gone) featuring multiple double-tight sets, and almost always have three backs in the backfield. This, coupled with a massive offensive line - the Rebels guards each weigh in at over 300 lbs. - and two big, physical running backs, could be problematic for any team’s defense, but Coach Pixley feels his squad is up to the task.

“It’s a different football team to prepare for, that’s for sure. It’s not like we had three weeks to prepare for Park Hills like we did with Ste. Gen,” Pixley noted, “but practice has been better each day.”


 “Park Hills is scary because there’s a lot of trash to run through. If you’re in the wrong position and the running back is in the right position, hits a lane, then he can pop it out there, and if theres no one there, he’s gone.”

“They’ll spread you out a little bit, but they really like going double-tight with three backs. Two of their running backs are over 215 lbs.,” Pixley added. “Their line is big, their tight ends are huge. They’re going to try to make a point of getting physical, downhill, and really running hard and grinding it out. They’re going to want to run the clock out, so we’ll have to swarm and be physical on defense, but I think we’ve adjusted well to it.”

“They’re a very good football team, very big powerful team, and we’re going to have to play to win,” Pixley added. “They’re going to be gunning for us, and our kids have to be ready for it. We’re going to up there and get off that bus ready to play hard for four quarters, because they’re going to bring it all night long.”

Kickoff for the contest is set for 7:00 p.m.

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