Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter Bearcats varsity football team will be lead by Coach Justin Peden in his second year as head football coach.
“I have gotten to know the guys really well now and they have gotten to know me, so we all have a better relationship,” stated Peden. “They know what my expectations are and we have also had a year in the weight room and a year in the offensive system, so the players are more comfortable with what we are doing.”
Dexter will return 35 athletes to the roster this season comprising of sixteen seniors, twelve juniors, and seven sophomores.
BEARCAT SENIORS ARE: Caleb Rea, Peyton Pollock, Dakota Southerland, Austin Aldridge, Jason Mattison, Brandon Quertermous, Jackson Hubbard, Tim Spence, Dylan Bazarian, Noah Kronk, Drake Mitchell, Matt Sims, Cameron Craft, Dalton Twomey, Aaron Sandlin and Jacob Murdock.
BEARCAT JUNIORS ARE: Ethan Stevens, Gavin White, Nate Weathers, Jared Deal, Austin Merritt, Tyler Stevenson, Carson Dean, Austin Chesser, River Chism, Austin Mitchell, Houston Burnett and Brandon Twomey.
BEARCAT SOPHOMORES ARE: Corey Holland, Jake Adams, Jason Jarrell, Clay Henson, Payton Tinnin, Steve Stidmon and Tyler Conaway.
“We have a lot of returning players on both sides of the ball. Every starter except for two or three started or received considerable varsity playing time last year. The game experience these guys have will be invaluable during this season. They have been battle tested and dealt with tremendous adversity last season so that is a major plus.”
Senior Peyton Pollock will be back at the helm throwing for the Bearcats. He transferred in last year when his father took over at the principal of Dexter Senior High School. He had 110 carries for 504 yards last year and threw for 1,360 yards.
“Peyton is able to do a lot of the things you need a quarterback to do,” commented Peden. “He has a strong arm and can move his feet when needed. He is also a leader in the locker room and in the huddle. I expect big things from him this season.”“We are looking really good offensively,” continued Coach Peden. “We have added some new wrinkles that allow our personnel to be more successful. With all the returning players it has been easy installing new plays and formations. Our offense is complex so having a year in the system has really helped out!”
The Bearcats have the comfort knowing they have some of the most substantial defensive athletes in southeast Missouri. Noah Kronk, Jason Mattison, and Jake Adams are hard-core linebackers with River Chism and Bo McMullin providing excellent depth. Ethan Stephens and Dylan Bazarian are the Bearcat’s two safeties. Cornerbacks are Gavin White, Austin Chesser and Austin Aldridge all having a tremendous amount of experience on the field.
“Our defense is looking pretty stout. We also changed some things defensively to help our players and are being more aggressive at the line of scrimmage. Overall this years defense is head and shoulders above where we were at this point last year.”
Jason Jarrell will serve as the Bearcat’s back-up quarterback and kicker, while Ethan Stephens will punt the ball when necessary.
“I feel like we have some of the best specialists in the area,” commented Coach Peden. “Ethan Stevens will punt, Caleb Rae will long snap and Jason Jarrell will handle kick-offs and extra point/field goals. I truly believe that at least two games are won or lost by special teams every year. We have been working on some things to help us in this area during practice.”
Dexter will compete in Class 3, District 1 along side New Madrid County Central, Fredericktown, Kennett, Potosi, St. Pius X (Festus), Park Hills Central, and Ste. Genevieve.
They open Friday night against Ste. Genevieve. Game time 8:00 p.m.
Due to the extreme heat and high temperatures it was a unanimous decision to postpone the game by one hour. “The heat will be a factor, but we have been preaching about hydrating and will make sure the kids have plenty of water on the sidelines.”
“I am looking forward to a good, hard nosed football game against Ste. Genevieve,” continued Peden. “The Dragons are a good team with a great coach so they will be ready for us.”
“I truly feel like high school football presents a chance for young men to have a second “family” so to speak. These guys will go through things together that not many people will ever experience or understand. Playing together as a family and looking out for each other will only lead to success on the and off the field.”
1 – 2 – 3 FAMILY!!! Go Bearcats! We will see you on the field 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 22nd in Ste. Genevieve! #SlaytheDragons!
| Date | Location | Time |
| 8/22 | at Ste. Genevieve | 8 p.m. |
| 8/29 | Poplar Bluff | 7 p.m. |
| 9/5 | Charleston | 7 p.m. |
| 9/12 | at Sikeston | 7 p.m. |
| 9/19 | at Caruthersville | 7 p.m. |
| 9/26 | Kennett | 7 p.m. |
| 10/3 | at NMCC | 7 p.m. |
| 10/10 | Park Hills Central | 7 p.m. |
| 10/17 | at Malden | 7 p.m |
