Dexter, Missouri – The 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams defeated the Advance Hornets Tuesday evening at T.S. Hill Middle School. That improves their records to 4-0.
The 7th grade boys team beat Advance 48-12. The Bearcats scored double digits in the first three periods of the game.
Brodie Pollock tallied a game-high 16 points for the Bearcats. Garrett Henson scored 10 points and Haden Hillis added 9 more.
In the 8th grade game Dexter defeated Advance 43-13. The Bearcats helped themselves to a mighty lead in the first period by 18 points. By halftime they lead by 30 points.
Braxton Foster recorded a game-high 10 points for the Bearcats. Nate Gargas and Seth Rogers each tallied 8 points. Garrison Collier recorded 4. Justin Kenley hit a 3-pointer.
The Bearcats will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to Bloomfield.
7th Grade Boys Dexter 48, Advance 12
Advance 2 2 8 0 - 12
Dexter 12 15 15 6 - 48
Advance (12) - Jack Below 2, Hunter Curtis 8, Zach Sims 2. FG 6, FT 0/0, F 10. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: None)
Dexter48) - Jack Scruggs 2, Spencer Warren 3, Haden Hillis 9, Carson Bell 4, Shawn Robards 2, Garrett Henson 10, Brodie Pollock 16, Logan Wyman 2. FG 20, FT 6/11, F 4. (3-pointers: Henson 2. Fouled out: None)
8th Grade Boys Dexter 43, Advance 13
Advance 0 1 9 3 - 13
Dexter 18 13 10 2 - 43
Advance(13) - Wes Shelby 1, Bailey 3, Ian Eggimann 5, Hunter Clifton 4. FG 4, FT 3/6 F 3. (3-pointers: Bailey 1, Cliften 1. Fouled out: None)
Dexter(43) - Seth Rogers 8, Nate Gargas 8, Eric Hahn 2, Jake Harris 2, Justin Kenley 3, Braxton Foster 10, Ethan Hobgood 2, Cody Hagy 2, Garrison Collier 4, Brock Simmons 2. FG 21, FT 0/1, F 7. (3-pointers: Kenley 1. Fouled out: None)
Dexter, Missouri - It’s always nice to win a Conference Title in football and the Dexter Bearcats know that feeling this year. It was a 3-way tie with Caruthersville and New Madrid County Central, but in our hearts the Bearcats are always #1.
Each year a coach is chosen as Conference Coach of the Year. This year two coaches have been named, Caruthersville coach Jimmy Jackson and our own Dexter Bearcats head football coach Justin Peden.
This is Coach Peden’s second time in four years being honored as Conference Coach of the Year. His first time was in his first season as head football coach at Hayti. This year he is proud to share this honor with coach Jackson who Peden coached with for one season at Hayti.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the Coach of the Year this season,” stated Peden. “Sharing this honor with Jimmy is a pretty neat thing because we coached together for a year and have continued to remain friends.”
“I think it also shows that the younger coaches in the area are coming into their own and are ready to lead their programs for a long time. I share this honor with my assistant coaches, who have put in countless hours preparing for games.”
“I can honestly say I feel like I have the best group of guys in southeast Missouri in my corner.” Continued Peden. “I also wish to thank the players. It would be hard to have someone new come in and adjust to a different way of doing things, but they did it. These are great young men and I am proud to be their coach.”
“The community and parents have also been amazing,” Peden went on to say. “The amount of support they have shown me and the players is overwhelming at times and it is very appreciated. I would name everyone individually, but that would take hours!”
“Finally I want to thank my family. My wife, Jennifer, is absolutely amazing and so understanding of the time it takes to be a coach. Without her I don’t think I could do this job. My boys, Jaxson and Liam, are also amazing. Jaxson helps me ‘draw plays’ and always has a hug for me win or lose!”
Dexter hit some milestones this year. Defeating Sikeston on their home turf was quite the highlight and hadn’t been done several years. Beating Charleston by 67 points was the second most scored game in the last 15 years. Winning Homecoming is always nice and this year it was Kennett the Bearcats defeated. Three great wins equaled terrific atmosphere and dedicated fans who cheered from the sidelines!
But with those highlights it was the Bearcats who became a family on and off the field. They are dedicated to each other and to their school. Once a Bearcat always a Bearcat as the old saying goes. These athletes will remember their high school football games probably more than anything else that happened to them in high school. They will always remain the ‘Boys of Fall’ at class reunions and their hearts will always bleed red and black forever.
As for our head coach it’s twice in four years as a head coach of a football team that he has been honored with Conference Coach of the Year and that says it all about his program and his ability to lead these young men on the field. He is dedicated to the sport, to the school, to the students and to the community and we are very proud of him.
While the football season did not end the way everyone wanted the Bearcats accomplished much on and off the field.
“I am very proud of our accomplishments this year,” stated Peden. “We doubled our win total for the second year, beat Sikeston and got a piece of the Conference Championship! I would call that a successful season in a lot of ways.”
As for the seniors, it’s always a bittersweet end to the season, their last game they will play as a Bearcat, but what a year they between the uprights. They accomplished much and should hold their heads high.
“Saying goodbye to the seniors will be tough, but we are looking forward to next year with a lot of excitement and optimism. We feel that we can continue to be competitive and make more improvements next year. A lot of younger players are going to have to step into leadership roles, but I know they are ready for the task. For me there is no off-season. I am ready to get back into the weight room, watch films and draw-up depth charts for next season."
"Year three promises to be a great one for the Bearcats!”
Congratulations Coach Peden! The players, the community, and the fans, are extremely proud of your accomplishments this year. We can’t wait until next season when the athletes return to Charles Bland Stadium and make that first touchdown in the 2015 Bearcat Football Season!!
Dexter, Missouri – The Lady ‘Cats of T.S. Hill Middle School split their 7th and 8th grade games with the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules. The 7th grade girls basketball team defeated Dexter 50-27 and the 8th grade Lady ‘Cats beat Poplar Bluff 49-27.
In 7th grade action Annie Slaton had a team-high 13 points against the Mules. Alexa Werneck added 7 including one trey for the Lady ‘Cats before fowling out late in the game.
The Mules pulled ahead 11-0 in the first few minutes of the game, but the Lady ‘Cats fought back and tied 19-19 before the Mules made a run to victory.
Chaylea Mosby swiftly put the points on the board for the ‘Cats. She recorded a game-high 25 points including three 3-pointers. Natalie Size tallied 7 points including a trey.
This was the last home appearance for the Lady ‘Cats. They travel to Jackson on Tuesday and will begin play at 5:30 p.m. Friday night they travel to Poplar Bluff with game time 6:00 p.m.
Final Score 7th Grade Girls Game: Poplar Bluff 50, Dexter 27
Poplar Bluff 11 2 21 16 - 50
Dexter 2 9 8 8 - 27
Poplar Bluff (50) - Brylee Misner 12, Lauren Alexander 11, Haley Slaughter 4, Adison Kingree 6, Hannah Bass 6, Turner 2, Kiley Bess 9. FG 21, FT 8/18, F 18. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)
Dexter (27) - Margo Nea 2, Alexa Werneck 7, Maddie Slaton 3, Annie Slaton 13, Shea Baker 2. FG 8, FT 10, F 14. (3-pointers: Werneck 1. Fouled out: Werneck)
Final Score 8th Grade girls Game: Poplar Bluff 27, Dexter 49
Poplar Bluff 6 4 9 8 - 27
Dexter 10 11 13 15 - 49
Poplar Bluff (27) - Kiley Bess 10, Sophie Rowland 2, Lauren Alexander 6, Brylee Misner 9. FG 11, FT 5/7, F 7. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)
Dexter (49) - Maycie Martin 5, Natalie Sitze 7, Liza King 4, Keirston Keirsey 4, Rylee Allen 4, Chaylea Mosby 25. FG 21, FT 4/5, F 6. (3-pointers: Mosby 2, Sitze 1. Fouled out: none)
A Dexter resident, Cortez (7-2) is still riding the wave of success with his win over Dalton Knight for the Light Heavyweight title in Branson on Saturday.
The match went the scheduled three rounds and was won by decision in favor of Cortez over Knight. In addition to the belt for the Light Heavyweight division, Cortez also was awarded the prize for “Fight of the Night” by the Shofight/Brawl judges.
Frank has been a member of the Dark Horse MMA fight team that trains at the Fitness Connection in Downtown Dexter. The team’s sponsors include the Fitness Connection, El Tapatio #2 in Dexter, and BCT Screenprinting in Bernie.
This was an exceptional win for Frank Cortez, as he doubled up his training efforts for this match. Dark Horse MMA held Fight Camp specifically for Cortez every week, which helped to improve his cardio in preparation for this match. The extra work paid off for Frank as he displayed a great improvement in his stand-up and ground game during the match.
Training is always a key component to a fighter's success. The weight training regiment, conditioning and fighting techniques all play a major role in preparation for each fight.Franks has been blessed with his dedicated coaching staff of Joe Davis for both cardio and stand-up coaching and Waylon Owens as his ground coach.
Coach Davis, affectionately known as “Joe Fit” to his cross training students, has been a strong inspiration to many people throughout the community with his positive, upbeat encouragement toward fitness. Each of his “Joe Fit” classes are greatly attended at the Fitness Connection twice each week on Monday at 5:15 pm and Thursday at 6:45 pm.MMA isn’t just for the guys as Dark Horse Contender, Tina Brown, was also a headliner at the Shofight/Brawl this past weekend. Brown, a Bernie Missouri resident, entered her third grapple match of her career against Katy “The Red Dragon” Collins. Collins was able to gain the win in the third round over Brown with an arm-bar for a tap-out.
Tina will continue her training with the Dark Horse team and is hopeful to enter her next MMA match the first part of 2015.
Dexter, Missouri – The First Team All-Conference has been announced for the 2014 Football Season. Congratulations to Peyton Pollock, Ethan Stevens, Jared Deal, Drake Mitchell, Noah Kronk, and Dylan Bazarian.
Peyton Pollock was named Offensive Player of the Year for Conference. “This is a big honor,” commented head football coach Justin Peden. “I am so proud of these young men. They all worked incredibly hard in the off-season and deserve any post season honors they receive.”
Peyton Pollock, a senior, performed for the Bearcats as their quarterback for the 2014 football season. He completed 130 passes for 1,572 yards including 13 touchdowns. Pollock carried the ball 142 times rushing for 730 yards including 8 touchdowns. His total yardage was 2,302 with 21 touchdowns.
Ethan Stevens earned his spot as a Wide Receiver for the Bearcats. He had 35 catches for 578 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 16 times for 178 yards and 1 touchdown. He averaged 16.51 yards per carry.
Jared Deal, Offensive Lineman, for the Bearcats made his line calls as a guard according to coach Justin Peden. “He is a tenacious blocker, hard worker, and very deserving of first team.”
Drake Mitchell, a senior Defensive Lineman, for the Bearcats made 77 tackles of which were 46 solo tackles. Mitchell had 2 sacks and 12 tackles resulting in a loss of yards for the opponents. He also had one forced fumble interception.
Noah Kronk, a senior Linebacker for the Bearcats, earned 112 tackles that included 70 solo tackles. He also tallied 12 tackles, which resulted in a loss of yardage and completed 2 fumble recoveries.
Dylan Bazarian, a senior, nicknamed “Baz” earned 71 tackles including 41 solo tackles. He had 6 tackles that resulted in loss of yardage and one interception.
The following BEARCAT players earned a spot on the second team All-Conference! Congratulations!
Austin Aldridge, Wide Receiver, caught the ball 26 times for 402 yards including 1 touchdown. He averaged 15.46 yards per carry.
Austin Chesser, Wide Receiver, caught the ball 23 times for 265 yards including two touchdowns. He averaged 11.52 yards per carry.
Tyler Stevenson, Offensive Lineman, earned his place with his tackles. “He is a good player and played well every game,” commented Coach Peden.
Brandon Quertermous,a senior Defensive Lineman, tallied 22 tackles of which 6 were solos. He had two tackles resulting in a loss of yardage. “Stats don’t always tell the story,” commented Coach Peden. “He ate up blocks to allow safeties and linebackers to make plays.”
Jake Adams, Linebacker for the Bearcats, tallied 52 tackles of which 25 were solos. He earned 8 tackles that resulted in loss of yardage.
Jason Mattison, Linebacker, had 41 tackles of which 25 were solo tackles. One tackle resulted in a loss of yardage.
Jason Jarrell, Defensive Back and sophomore for the Bearcats, had 23 tackles with 10 solos and 4 interceptions. He was also 33 of 35 for kicking extra points after a touchdown.
“We have doubled the amount of First Team All-Conference selections from last year,” continued Peden. “I feel that shows the respect our program is receiving and the production that is coming with more time in our system. This is something that these guys will remember forever and can look back on as a major accomplishment in their lives. It also gives our younger players something to strive for in the future. To have thirteen of our players honored in some way is amazing and all the credit goes to them and their hard work.”
Congratulations to all of the athletes who strive for excellence and made this year a year to remember! Beating Sikeston and Kennett were just some of the highlights of a great year. We are so pleased with our football team and proud of our Bearcats! You are respected on and off the field and we couldn’t ask for a better football team! It’s been a great season!
