By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Dexter Bearcats will face one of their toughest tests of the season tonight when they host the Sikeston Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are 1-1 on the season, after suffering a big week one loss to Gateway Tech, but fresh from an explosive offensive performance against Charleston last week. 

Head coach Aaron Pixley felt the team had a solid week of practices, and noted Sikeston’s speed as the main area of concern.

“[Practice has] been going well,” Pixley commented.  “I always feel that we can get better at a lot of things, I think we can practice better a lot of times.  We’ve had excellent moments, and some not so great, but overall, we’ve had solid practices all week.”

“I’m concerned with their [Sikeston’s] speed, period.  One of the fastest teams around, if not the fastest.  It’s just something that we’ll have to line up right and execute.  The only way to beat speed is by being in the right spot and doing your job,” Pixley continued.  “Alignment, assignment, and then explode.”

Pixley felt the team struggled with tackling after last week’s contest with Park Hills, and noted that the same mistakes cannot be made against the Bulldogs.

”When we do get there on defense, we have to tackle - if we’re sloppy with tackling and miss, they’ll take it to the house every time,” he said.

The ‘Cats received some great news yesterday: running back/linebacker Nick Summers is cleared to play in the contest. 

Summers suffered a shoulder injury during the Park Hills game and was pulled after the first half for precautionary measures, but after an appointment with team physician Dr. Bobby Jibben on Thursday, the senior has been given the ‘green light’ to be on the field in full capacity tonight.

"I can't believe we were that close to holding [Nick] out this Friday," Pixley said.  "Nick is a playmaker and we sure are glad to have him in the lineup.”

The contest between Dexter and Sikeston at Charles Bland Stadium is set to get underway at 7:00 p.m.