The Coach's Corner
by Justin Peden
Upcoming Football Season
Dexter, Missouri - Summer is almost upon us and it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming football season! The coaching staff and I have been getting ready since Christmas break, preparing for a successful season for the 2014 Bearcats.
Last season was an amazing learning experience and there were several great moments that I will remember forever, but it’s time to start looking forward. I truly feel that the upcoming 2014 season will be a return to the winning tradition of Dexter football.
We have sixteen seniors returning next year, along with a large group of juniors and sophomores who received valuable playing time in the 2013 season due to injuries. This group has been working hard in the weight room and on their own to prepare for summer activities.Coach Brice Beck has been doing an amazing job in weightlifting classes this year and we are starting to see a change in the type of athlete we have here. While strength is still of the utmost importance we have implemented agility and speed training that has assisted these athletes to perform at a higher level.
We are returning eleven players on offense that started at least two games last season. Those players are quarterback Peyton Pollock, running back Carson Dean, receivers Austin Chesser, Ethan Stevens, Austin Aldridge, Tim Spence and Offensive Linemen Dakota Southerland, Brandon Wick, Jared Deal, Jackson Hubbard, and Tyler Stevenson.
Defensively the returning starters are Drake Mitchell, Brandon Quertermous, Matt Sims, Tyler Stevenson, Dylan Bazarian, Jake Adams, Austin Aldridge, Tim Spence, Austin Chesser, Ethan Stevens and Noah Kronk.
We will be extremely active this summer. We plan to attend the SEMO Overnight Team Camp, the SEMO 7 on 7 Tournament, the Sikeston Contact Camp and our own 2nd Annual Dexter 7 on 7 Tournament.
I encourage everyone who bleeds red and black to come out and support us at the 2nd Annual Dexter Bearcat 7 on 7 Football Tournament. We will eight teams this year, which include Dexter, Cape Central, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff, Kennett, Hayti, East Prairie and Scott City. The Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 21st and will start at 10am. It should be a great way to see how we are developing and also get a look at some of our competition this season!
On a personal note I want to thank everyone in the community and within the school who have helped make my first year in Dexter such a positive one. My family (including our newest addition baby Liam) have had such a wonderful experience. I would name everyone who has been helpful, but the list would be a page long! I am looking forward to next season and can’t wait for Friday night football!
Teamwork is the fuel that allows common
people to attain uncommon results.
