St. Louis, Missouri - Being a referee can sometimes be difficult. Most fans do not realize the level of commitment or compassion referees have for the game of football. Most of all they get little recognition for their efforts. This past Saturday, Mark Becker, was honored for his efforts of refereeing high school football for 25 years at the Dome during the MSHSAA State Football Championship games.
That’s 25 years in a sport he lives, breaths, and loves. One can only imagine being yelled at by football coaches, players, and even fans from the sidelines, but each game he has officiated with a professional attitude and has performed 100% as the best referee in the business. We give little credit to the men in the zebra striped shirts, but they deserve a firm handshake and a thank you. Takes a lot of heart and soul to go out and face two teams battling for a win, perhaps even a championship win, Becker does it with finesse and integrity.
Becker was recognized not just for his 25 years of service, but in recognition of outstanding contributions of leadership, guidance, and integrity on the field. He has not only taken part in high school games, but came out on many Saturdays each season to help with Dexter Parks & Recreation’s little league football teams.
He coached the Red Team in the 1980’s for Dexter Parks and Recreation and then moved on to refereeing.
Why did he get involved? “In 1990 I started refereeing. Rick Williams encouraged me to get involved and it was a way for me to stay in touch with the game I love. Camaraderie of the crew and just enjoying the football atmosphere is something I enjoy,” Becker said.
“My best memory was refereeing a game between Kirkwood and Webster Groves,” continued Becker. “It was a semifinal football game with over 10,000 people in the stands. That was great!”
Becker’s referee crew includes Rick Williams, Don Backfish, Pat Carda, and Jimmy Smith. They cover games in Southeast Missouri all the way up to St. Louis, Missouri.
“I have had the chance to do some big games over the years,” stated Becker. “A combination of a great crew and having been graded as a solid crew. We have been able to referee more than a dozen quarterfinal football games; six semifinals, and twice now at the Dome in St. Louis for Missouri State High School Athletic Association Football Championship games. It’s been a major honor to be invited to referee these types of championships.” 
Mark is married to his lovely wife, Cathy and they have a son and a daughter. “It’s been a sacrifice having games sometimes three nights a week. It’s tough, but you know it’s been a good deal.”
He’s also a Bearcat through and through and as the saying goes, “He bleeds Red and Black!” His high school career was from 1971 -1974 and he played mostly as a guard on offense for the Bearcats. He did cover other positions as well especially when people got hurt. He even managed to get some defensive playing time as a defensive end and linebacker.
Becker has been in the game of football for more than 40+ years playing, coaching or being a referee official. He’s seen a lot of changes, new rules, and seen many young men play in this sport. Referees are getting more and more scarce these days. Today’s referee is getting older and the young are not stepping up as much as they did.
“I think young people need to get involved,” stated Becker. “They need to experience the game from a different level. They need to start at the bottom and work their way up then take a test to become an official. It’s a great atmosphere and they would really enjoy it”
Congratulations on Mark Becker’s recognition of 25 years as a referee. Well deserved!!
They open their season on Friday, November 27th against St. Joseph's Academy at 12:30 p.m. with the junior varsity and varsity playing around 2:00 p.m.
You can listen to the varsity game on the 90.3 Christian Radio with Jim Reiker, Matt Thurmon, and Scott Nelson.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Middle School 8th grade boys basketball team defeated the Poplar Bluff Mules 44-31 on Monday evening at T.S. Hill Middle School.
Brodie Pollock dominated the court with a game-high 19 points. Pollock scored 13 of those points in the first quarter.
Poplar Bluff held the Bearcats to just two field goals in the second quarter as it moved ahead 20-19 by halftime.
Dexter held the Mules to just 3 points in the third quarter allowing them to increase their lead back to eight to start the fourth quarter.
Garrett Henson hit three treys and finished with 12 points.
Logan Wyman recorded one 3-pointer.
Final Score 8th Grade Boys Basketball: Dexter 44, Poplar Bluff 31
Poplar Bluff 5 15 3 8 - 31
Dexter 13 6 12 13 - 44
Poplar Bluff (31) - Dawson Hanner 2, Josiah Kilgore 5, Sammy Persons 5, Keshawn Reid 4, Philip Toledo 6, Luke Becker 4, Chaz Casey 5. FG 12, FT 7/14, F 18. (3-pointers: None, Fouled Out: None)
Dexter (44) - Logan Wyman 8, Spencer Warren 1, Haden Hillis 4, Garrett Henson 12, Brodie Pollock 19. FG 17, FT 6/16, F 11. (3-pointers: Logan Wyman 1, Garrett Henson 3. Fouled Out: Warren)
Dexter will be back in action on Tuesday when they play at Jackson.
Dexter, Missouri - The T.S. Hill Middle School Wrestling Team opened their 2015 season with a 13-4 victory over the Poplar Bluff Mules.
Colton Jackson (PB)) defeated Wyatt Parker (D)
Alex Townsend (D) defeated Jackson McGraw (PB)
Luke Cannon (PB) defeated Corey Hawkins (D)
Steven Cupp (D) defeated Will Bost (PB)
Bryden Barnett (D) defeated Donald Sincup (PB)
Drew Soule (D) defeated Jacob Aldridge (PB)
Travis Waldner (D) defeated Quinton Bell (PB)
Brett Pollock (D) defeated Kaleb Phillips (PB)
Dylan Homan (D) defeated Sebastian Hawkins (PB)
Mason Keena (D) defeated Zach Davidson (PB)
Cutter Cornett (D) defeated Paige Earls (PB)
Austin Tinsley (PB) defeated Cory Hawkins (D)
Parker Van Slyke (D) defeated Cole Christian (PB)
Ethan Harmon (D) defeated Lane Willis (PB)
Alex Townsend (D) defeated Zachary Brown (PB)
Quinton Bell (PB) defeated Wyatt Parker (D)
Cory Ezell (D) defeated Will Bost (PB)
The Dexter Bearcats will be back in action on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 when they travel to Cape Girardeau. Match time is 5:00 p.m.
Dexter, Missouri - The undefeated Dexter 7th grade boys basketball team beat the Poplar Bluff Mules 40-37 Monday evening at the T.S. Hill Middle School in Dexter.
The Jr. Beta Club served an Old Fashioned Chili Supper prior to the game and with a standing room only crowd the Bearcats took the court.
It was a tough game between the two teams. They were tied at the end of the first quarter 12-12. Dexter was able to score 9 points in the second half giving them just a 2 point lead going into half time. Neither team led by more than just a couple of points in the first two quarters of play trading for lead position at least six times.
Dexter increased their lead to 34-30 going into the fourth quarter. Poplar Bluff fought back cutting the deficit to just one point with 1:37 left on the clock.
Andrew Ellinghouse made one of two free throws with just 40 seconds left in the game. Carter Dorton followed with one free throw with 24 seconds left giving Dexter a 3-point lead and securing the win!
Dexter athlete Ryder Boles tallied a team-high 12 points including 1 trey.
Andrew Ellinghouse added 8 points for the Bearcats.
Ryan Collier recorded one three-pointer for Dexter.
Final Score 7th Grade Boys: Dexter 40, Poplar Bluff 37
Poplar Bluff 12 7 11 7 - 37
Dexter 12 9 13 6 - 40
Poplar Bluff (37) - Brennon Chamberlain 16, Preston Taylor 7, Damerieus Robinson 4, Alex Ketcherside 3, Justin Moses 7. FG 15, FT 6/10, F 21 (3-pointers: Moses 1, Fouled Out: None)
Dexter (40) - Andrew Ellinghouse 8, Rider Boles 12, Peyton Dirskill 6, Ryan Collier 5, Austin Daniels 2, Riley Slusher 5. FG 12, FT 14/25, F 15. (3-pointers: Ryan Collier 1, Ryder Boles 1, Fouled Out: None)
The Dexter 7th grade team will be back in action on Tuesday as they travel to Jackson. Game time 5:30 p.m.
Monday, November 30, 2015 will be their last home game. The Kennett Indians will travel to Dexter. Game time 6:00 p.m.
Their very last game of the 2015 season will be played in Charleston on Wednesday, December 2, 2015. Game time 6:00 p.m.
