Dexter, Missouri - The Bearcats won the coin toss; however it would be a long night ahead as the Dragons were able to complete a total of six touchdowns to win 42-7 at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter.

The Bearcats came out of the field house and played hard, but were unable to run the ball well after the first quarter.

Ste. Gen jumped out to a two-touchdown lead after the first quarter.  They led 35-7 at halftime and almost doubled the number of throwing and rushing yards, 435 - 243 in the air, 338-154 rushing.

Ste. Genevieve has now beaten Dexter in the season opener six of the last seven years, including the last two years.  They are ranked #2 in their District only below Cape Central Tigers.

Already down by 13 and 8:53 remaining in the second quarter, the Bearcats are on the 1 yard line. Peyton Pollock hands the ball to Jonathan Foels who scores the first touchdown in the game for Dexter.  Go Jonathan! Dragons lead 13-6.

Now the moment everyone had been waiting for!  MaKayla Waldner was sent out to kick the extra point.  She kicks! It's GOOD!  She scores the first ever point by a female football athlete!  Way to go MaKayla

Jason Jarrell then kicks from the 'Cats 40 to Ste. Gen's 9.  Luke Gettinger returned the ball only 7 yards and was brought down by Drake Mitchell.  DJ Dowdy made the next two tackles as Ste. Gen was able to run the ball 50 yards.  A flag was thrown and Dowdy was given the penalty.  Face Mask for 5 yards and an automatic 1st down.  The Dragons fumbled the very next play, but recovered the ball for a loss of 2.  Trevor Waldner tackled Matt Drury on a 9 yard run giving the Dragons a 3rd and 3.  The very next play, Anthony Rose ran 22 yards for another Dragon touchdown.  Matt Drury ran the ball in for 2 points.  Ste. Gen 21, Dexter 7.

The Bearcats had a lot of missed opportunities during the game.  They managed to keep the ball for the next 2 minutes; however were unable to score turning the ball over to Ste. Gen on a fumble by Ethan Stevens at the 'Cats 46.  Unfortunately for Dexter, the Dragons made good on the turnover and scored in just six plays.  Ste. Gen now lead 28 to 7.

The rest of the evening went pretty much the same.  Missed opportunities to recover fumbled balls, incomplete passes and unable to advance beyond the Dragons' defense, the Bearcats were unable to advance down the field and score.

The Dragons of Ste. Gen achieved their final touchdown of the night with a little over 4 minutes remaining in the game when Anthony Roe ran the ball in from the Bearcat's two yard line.

Peyton Pollock, #12 threw for 89 yards with 20 attempts and 8 completions of the night.  His longest throw was 27 yards.  DJ Dowdy, #4 completed 3 passes for 56 yards, an average of 18.7 yards per pass.  Ethan Stevens, #7 also completed 3 passes for 27 yards along with Tim Spence #23 earning his 11 yards with just 2 completions.

Pollock also lead the team with the most yards rushing, 17 times for a total of 108 yards.  Way to go Peyton in your first night as a Bearcat!

"We are going to get better," stated Coach Justin Peden.  "There is no fault on anybody's effort tonight.  I have faith in these boys.  We just had too many penalties especially on 1st and 10."


"Peyton made some really good decisions tonight.  He was close to 200 yards offensively.  He knows when to hold and when to fold." Peden continued. " And then there is DJ Dowdy who looked great as a receiver.  He made some really good catches."

"The heat played a role in the game.  It was brutal as we had several with leg cramps.  Cody Neldon got banged up a bit as well.  It was just rough!"

The Bearcats (0-1) actually held well in this week's District standings.  New Madrid County Central, Charleston, Kennett, and Caruthersville also all lost Friday night to their opponents.    Next Friday they will travel to Poplar Bluff, another tough competitor who won their game Friday night against Union, 31-14.

"Poplar Bluff is a bigger school," commented Peden.  "We are trying to find some depth and are still a work in progress, but I have all the faith that these boys played their hearts out tonight and will continue to do so.  Hopefully we can put some things together, mentally and physically to get ready."

Game Time:  7:00 p.m. Friday, September 6th at Poplar Bluff!

REMINDER:  It's an away game.  The Dexter Schools are asking everyone to BLACK-OUT the Mules next week!  Show your Bearcat Spirit by wearing black to the game and all day on Friday!! 

Send your photos to news@showmetimes.com and we will put them on Facebook to show everyone your "BLACK" 'CAT SPIRIT!!  Go Bearcats!!!!!