Article by SMT Sports Writer
The Dexter Bearcats travel south to take on the Tigers of Caruthersville tonight in a gridiron classic. This has always been a grudge game in the Bearcat’s season. The Tigers typically bring a tremendous amount of speed that is matched with an aggressive, physical playing style that is difficult to overcome.
The 2012 season has been a tough start for the ‘Cats dropping the first three games of the season to St. Gen, Poplar Bluff, and last week to the Sikeston Bulldogs. The young Bearcat team has faced this tough schedule and done a good job against strong competitors.
The going does not improve tonight as the Caruthersville Tigers come into tonight’s contest with a record of 2 -1. There only loss this season was suffered at the hands of undefeated Liberty (Moutain View) High School by a score of 48 to 12.
According to the Bearcats’ coaching staff, the team has had a good week of practice. Monday’s film and walk-thru practice was real good, as was Tuesday’s practice. Overall the ‘Cats expect to be prepared for tonight’s challenge.
“Obviously we are very banged up,” noted head coach Aaron Pixley. “We do what we can do … no excuses.”
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Dexter with the loss of standout Cody Neldon and Dylon Aaron. Both athletes were key players on both sides of the football. Aaron was the anchor to the offensive line as the only returning starter from the 2011 season.
“We’ve just got numerous kids that were forced to set out of practices due to injuries like ankle sprains and tendonitis,” Pixley pointed out.
After receiving a dislocation to his patella, Jonathon Page was hopeful for tonight’s contest. Unfortunately, Page will not be in the lineup against the Tigers. He is fully expected to return next week against the Kennett Indians.
The big question mark all week was the Bearcat quarterback D J Dowdy, who suffered a high ankle sprain last week against the Sikeston Bulldogs. Dowdy was able to practice this week and is slated to be back in his starting role tonight.
“You would be hard pressed to get D J to sit out of a practice much less to miss a Friday night game.,” Pixley noted about his quarterback.
Running back Darrell Monroe has been the talk of Southeast Missouri with his burst of speed and quick moves. The 6-2, 220 pound junior is a challenge for opposing defensive units, but the Tigers are not a one man show this season.
The offensive line of the Tigers is solid, big, and very active. Tigers’ Head Coach, Nathan Morgan, notes that his offensive line is really good. The line is young in a few places, however, the offensive guards go 6’ 4” and are able to execute well on their assignments.
The quarterback for the Tigers is a dual threat, able to run and throw the football. Against the Charleston Bluejays, Grissom earned 53-yards passing, one for a touchdown and 32-yards rushing, two for touchdowns. He is able to keep the defense unsettled as his 6-2, 220 pound frame is a load to handle.
The Tigers are very aggressive defensively. We can expect them to come off the ball and be very physical. They are simply an all-around good football team. From sideline to sideline, Caruthersville will have speed that the ‘Cats will have to deal with all night.
Pre-week scouting reports all indicate that the Tigers have a good passing game. You can expect that they will catch the ball well, and they will run the ball after the catch. The Tigers are capable of throwing the ball deep, but primarily use screen plays and the flats.
“We are very young in spots in our defensive secondary,” added Pixley. “We simply have to focus and do our jobs.”.
Coach Pixley closed, “you know that only three things can happen when you throw the football. One of them is good and two of them are bad.”
The Bearcats are hopeful that the latter two predictions occur for their sake tonight. Game time begins at 7:00 PM and you can catch the action on KDEX FM at 102.3.
