Dexter, Missouri - There's nothing better in high school football than a dramatic come from behind win. The Bearcats were hoping for a little "pay-back" from last year's District play-off game. The Tigers won that game 38-0 in 2017. Dexter rallied from a 14-0 deficit to win 28-20 at their home opener at Charles Bland Stadium on Friday night.
The boys of fall knew it would take a team effort to beat the Tigers. Dexter rushed for 259 yards with two players gaining more than 100 yards each. Corbin Strong rushed for 139 yards on 13 carries, scoring two touchdowns and Caleb Hoggard rushed for 118 yards on 19 carries.
Tristan Newman scored two touchdowns in the first quarter. Both extra points were good giving Salem a 14-0 lead.
Corbin Strong cross the goal line putting Dexter on the scoreboard; however the extra two point conversion failed.
Trailing 14-6 at the half the 'Cats made adjustments in the 3rd and 4th quarters scoring three touchdowns for their first win of the season.
Dexter tied the game in the third quarter when Mason Keena recovered a bad snap by the Tigers. It was his second recovery for the night giving the Bearcats great field advantage. Corbin Strong's two-point conversion run tied the game at 14-14.
Quarterback Peyton Driskill threw a perfect pass to Nate Gargas for a 5-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Caleb Hoggard’s point after attempt was good to give Dexter a 21-14 lead.
Salem's Tristan Newman scored his third touchdown of the night, a 19-yard run. The Bearcats blocked the point after attempt and held their 21-20 lead.
Corbin Strong finished the night off with a 12-yard touchdown run. Caleb Hoggard hit the extra point keeping the Bearcats up by 8 points, 28-20.
“Make no mistake about it. It took the whole football team,” commented Dexter head football coach Aaron Pixley. “It wasn’t one guy. This win was a team win. They all are. I think it’s easy to talk about the big play. … But our offensive and defensive line had to show up. That’s kind of how we’re built. We have to play well up front, and we’re capable of it. We just have to get more consistent.”
The Bearcats rushed for 320 total yards, while holding Salem to 240 yards.
“Their offense is very difficult to defend,” Pixley stated. “We bent, but we came up with some huge plays.”
Final Scored Salem 20, Dexter 28
Salem 14 0 0 6 - 20
Dexter 0 6 8 14 - 28
First Quarter
S - Tristan Newman 1 run (Nick Holliday kick), 6:20
S - Newman 24 run (Holliday kick), 4:07
Second Quarter
D - Corbin Strong 1 run (run failed), 9:59
Third Quarter
D - Mason Keena fumble recovery in end zone (Strong run), 3:51
Fourth Quarter
D - Nate Gargas 5-yard pass from Peyton Driskill (Caleb Hoggard kick), 10:17
S - Newman 19 yard run (kick blocked), 6:32
D - Corbin Strong 12 run (Caleb Hoggard kick), 1:45.
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs Salem 15, Dexter 17
Total Yards Salem 240, Dexter 320
Rushes-Yards Salem 45-138, Dexter 37-259
Passing Yards Salem 102, Dexter 61
Comp-Att-Int Salem 6-10-0, Dexter 4-12-1
Penalties-Yards Salem 3-26, Dexter 6-35
Fumbles-Lost Salem 2-2, Dexter 2-2
Turnovers Salem 2, Dexter 3
Individual Stats
RUSHING — Salem -- Chandler Gray 15-13, Tristan Newman 12-74. Dexter -- Caleb Hoggard 19-118, Corbin Strong 13-139, Jett Featherston 2-6, Peyton Driskill 2-2, Ryder Foster 1-(-6).
PASSING — Salem -- Chandler Gray 6-10-0-102. Dexter -- Peyton Driskill 4-12-1-61.
RECEIVING — Salem -- Boone Schrader 3-57. Dexter -- Nate Gargas 2-18, Justin Kenley 1-31, Braxton Foster 1-12.
The Dexter (1-1) Bearcats will travel to New Madrid County Central on Friday, September 7, 2018. Kick-off at 7:00 p.m.
