Sports

Dragons Rout Bearcats in Season Opener
August 21st 2016 by Dee Loflin
Dragons Rout Bearcats in Season Opener

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri - The Dexter Bearcats had a rough evening against the Dragons in Ste. Genevieve falling on the road 35 - 6.  Coach Kevin Goltra's new defensive line held Ste. Genevieve scoreless in the first quarter.

Junior defensive end and tight end Gabe Jackson exploded with six solo tackles and one tackle assist.  Jackson clenched the ball in the 3rd quarter dragging a couple of defenders down the stretch for Dexter's largest yardage gain of the game. He set the pace for the second half with his 20 yard gain.

"He was phenomenal tonight. You saw the Gabe Jackson that everyone looks at when they see him being 6'4", 240 lbs and this mammoth of a dude," stated Dexter head football coach Kevin Goltra.  "Just because you are a big dude doesn't mean you can or do play like that.  He finally played up to his ability tonight.  Last year he made good plays. In practice it was a different Gabe Jackson this week.  He went really hard in practice pushing the guys.  Even when he was on the scout team, he would step in there and pushing the guys."

"That is what he is capable of doing and we have got to have him," continued Goltra.  "Nobody can block him when he is ready to roll like that."

Dexter managed only four first downs and a net gain of 79 total yards in the game scoring their only touchdown on a Payton Tinnin 13-yard run with 21 seconds left in the third quarter.  The conversion from quarterback Ben Sindle to Gabe Jackson was no good.

"Tinnin is one of the few seniors we have and he is doing a great job," Goltra said.  "He steps up in whatever role we need him in and he performs at a high level. Do to unexpected injuries, he was thrown into the OLB role this week and with just two practices, he played very well. He's a great football player and even a better person."

Senior Payton Tinnin had nine carries for 31 yards to the lead the ground attack. Trevor McDonald finished the game with 7 carries for 27 yards. Jake Adams added another 14 yards on 6 carries.

The Bearcats struggled throughout the game, but they are a very young and inexperienced group of athletes.  Junior quarterback Ben Sindle finished 4 for 12 with two interceptions. 

"Defensively we struggled.  Losing Jason Jarrell who plays safety and losing Corbin on the running game.  We are missing four or five defensive starters.  We are looking to have Austin Adams and Blake Palmer back this Friday," Goltra said.  "Corbin and Jason coming shortly after that.  That will help us a lot on athleticism and give us some depth."

"Offensively we didn't play well.  We are so young up front and so nervous about the situation," continued Goltra.  "Like I told the kids, it doesn't matter if you are a freshman or a senior, you got to go when we are called to go.  No one is going to care or make excuses for you in life."

"Dexter is learning, stumbling and growing," commented head football coach Kevin Goltra.  "By the end of the season I expect them to have grown. It will will come with practice.  We will fix the false starts and they will gain more discipline.  Lots of time in practice correcting those issues."

Defensively the Bearcats did force four turnovers against Ste. Genevieve.  Three interceptions for 31 yards including two by Nate Gargas and one from linebacker Bo McMullin.  Garrison Collier and Luke Boyer each had a quarterback sack.

"Nate Gargas did really good on corner.  We had some success and some breakdowns.  We need to make sure we can stop the run in the zone.  We don't want to have to blitz to stop the run."

"Bo is out there trying his best and he probably is one of them with the most experience, starting his freshman and sophomore years.  Sometimes he tries to do too much to make up for other people's mistakes."

The Dragons recorded 354 total yards, 185 yards on the ground and 169 in the air and 18 first downs.  Luke Brewster caught the pitch from quarterback Brandon Hinson from the six-yard line just 9 seconds into the second quarter for the Dragons' first touchdown of the game.  Dalton Giesler hit one through the uprights for the extra point.

Hinson connected with Brewster for the second touchdown with 6:48 left in the 2nd quarter. Another good kick by Giesler and it was 14-0 going into the locker room at half-time.

Ste. Genevieve earned one touchdown in the third quarter on a Camden Roe 2-yard carry into the end zone.  Giesler's extra point was no good giving the Dragons a 20 - 0 lead before the Bearcats scored late in the third.

Gabe Greminger ran two yards for a Dragon touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.  Blake Moore caught the ball for  a 2-point conversion.  The final points of the game came from Wade Hahn who scored by running 22 yards.  The kick by Giesler was good earning a Dragon win 35 - 6.

"The kids are going to work on film a lot and show them who they need to block, walk through things with them.  We are young and still learning. We are building offense brick by brick.  Bluff's not going to make it any easier on us next week either."

Dexter (0-1) will host Poplar Bluff Mules on Friday, August 26th at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter.  Ste. Genevieve (1-0) will travel across town to take on rival Valle Catholic (1-0).  Valle Catholic defeated St. Vincent 77 - 0 on Friday.

The ShowMe Times has added a SMT Scoreboard for live updates during the football game.  Go to www.showmetimes.com, click SMT SPORTS and the drop-down menu choose SMT Scoreboard.  Follow with live updates!  Scores will also be posted at the end of each quarter on Facebook and Twitter!  Come out Friday night and support the Bearcats in their home opener!  #GoCats  #BearcatNation

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Last Updated on August 21st 2016 by Dee Loflin




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