Dexter, Missouri - Charles "Seed" Bland Stadium hosted its own version of Monday Night Football as the junior varsity Bearcats hosted New Madrid County Central.  As a light crowd watched, the Bearcats were defeated by a score of 32 to 0 by the Eagles.  

The 'Cats were slow to get their offense going in the first half but offered some resistance defensively against the Eagles.  Dexter was successful in stopping NMCC in a 4th down and goal from the 1 yard line.  Taking the ball over on downs on the goal line, Dexter was unable to clear the end zone resulting in a safety.  New Madrid received the ensuing kickoff and methodically moved the football down field for a touchdown.  The two point conversion was good.  

Dexter found a little success in the passing game in the second quarter as quarterback Gavin White was able to complete passes to Nate Weathers and River Chism.  The 'Cats were able to move the ball down into Eagles territory until the drive was stalled and turned over on downs.  New Madrid once again fired up their offense but changed from their running game to test the Bearcat's defensive secondary.  New Madrid completed a long 50 yard pass for a touchdown making the halftime score New Madrid 18 to Dexter 0.

NMCC received the 2nd half kickoff but the Bearcat specialty teams stepped up with a good tackle at the 25 yard line.  Following a procedure penalty, New Madrid completed a 30 yard pass taking the ball down to the 20 yard line.  The bruising running style of the Eagles offense quickly  made up the additional yardage needed for another touchdown making the score 24 to 0 in favor of NMCC.

Dexter was able to create some positive yardage offensively but failed on a third down and 11.  They were forced to punt the football.  A big return by the Eagles gave them the ball 1st and 10 from the 46 yard line.  New Madrid continued to pick up yardage 10 and 12 yards at at time.   Austin Merrick came up big with a sack on the next play from scrimmage.  But the quick running Eagles broke loose on the next play taking the ball down to the 13 yard line. With 8:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, New Madrid carried the ball into the end zone again to go up on the 'Cats 32 to 0.

The 'Cats started their next series with a strong running attack from Aaron Sandlin.  Sandlin showed some hard nosed running but eventually the Bearcats drive was stalled again at the 28 yard line of the Eagles. 

However,  the Bearcat Defense came and was able to put up a good defensive stand forcing the Eagles to punt.  The Bearcats got the ball back in great field position at the 35 yard line.  After picking up an initial first down on the first play from scrimmage in the series, the Eagles defense stiffened bringing the drive to a screeching halt.  

"Offensively, we made some good plays through the air early on and eventually got the run going late in the game," stated Marc Thrower. 

"Defensively we played well early but toward the end we had too many kids out of position to shut down their athletes," added Thrower.  "But our  kids never quit and that is all we could ask for in this situation."

The Bearcats did suffer some injuries on the night as Tyler Heil looks to be out with a broken his wrist.  Also, Nate Weathers received a neck injury after a great catch and run but was tackled by the face mask.  There was no update at this point on his condition.

"I'm proud of the way our kids have faced adversity this season," commented Coach Marc Thrower.  "That's been the story of our season. We have had kids playing in positions they've never played before in order to replace all of the injured players.  These kids have stepped up and have given everything they had."

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