The Dexter Bearcats are wrapping up their summer program and are ready for the Friday night lights at Charles Bland Stadium. On Wednesday, they held a 7 on 7 and Big Man Challenge against the Kelly Hawks.
The athletes and coaches have worked and sacrificed all summer long to get to this point. With new head coach Chad Jamerson at the helm, the Bearcats are starting to come together as a team.
In the Big Man Challenge the boys flipped tractor tires, tug-of-war, and offensive/defensive tackle plays. The 7 on 7 featured each teams ability to throw and run the ball to score.
"The kids are having fun and working hard. Those are valuable parts of the program building process," commented Head Coach Chad Jamerson. "There are moments throughout this process where we, as coaches, will see all of the moving parts start coming together. It’s hard not to get excited when we see positive things happening. But, we also have to beware not getting too excited with the good or too low with the bad. At the end of the day, we’ve gotta continue to work hard and keep getting better. The rest will take care of itself."
There were a lot of positives and negatives on the field during the challenge. Kelly gave the Bearcats a lot of different looks on offense and defense.
"Our kids are still in the process of learning what our standard of play is. Programs grow slowly like a tree, so we’ve got be patient throughout the process. It won’t happen overnight. With that being said, I felt our kids worked hard and showed flashes of really good play," continued Jamerson.
"I believe we learned today that things are never as bad as we think…nor are they ever as good as we think. Just like in life, things aren’t always going to go our way. So, how do we handle adversity. That’s a lesson that we always have to continue teaching to our youth. “Are you going to lay down or are you going to stand and fight?” I believe that if you continue working hard, good things can happen."
Dexter's schedule is a tough one this year. They are on the road at New Madrid County Central, Caruthersville and Malden. At home they will see East Prairie, Doniphan, Kennett and Park Hills Central. All incredibly good team and will be challenging to beat.
"We, as a program, must continue to have perspective in terms of our expectations vs our outcomes. Along with that, we are learning to trust each other and the playbook. Sometimes, we only see the pieces instead of the entire puzzle. Today, I believe we started to put the pieces in the right place to make the big picture less murky. Ultimately, it’s a TEAM game. The players and coaches have to learn to “do your job” while also trusting that your teammates and coaches will do just that, their job," continued Jameson.
This year's homecoming will be September 16th against East Prairie, which just happens to be Coach Jamerson's home town.
"This is always an exciting time of year. So much promise and possibility. The time to see where we are is coming quickly," state Jamerson.
"Thank you to all those that have supported our kids. We appreciate that. Personally, I want to say thank you to our kids and our coaches. They really do keep the machine running. With continued hard work, some luck, and faith…I believe we are headed in the right direction."
The Bearcats host a Football Jamboree on Friday, August 19th against Fredericktown, Poplar Bluff, and Caruthersville. They open on the road at Scott City the following Friday.
Bernie, MO - Fall sports practices begin August 8, 2022. Coaches will be reaching out to their athletes regarding each team's practice schedule.
Coaches will also be reaching out, to inform, which athletes need a physical.
Reminder, all athletes must have the sports physical form turned in to practice.
Also, all athletes will be required to complete the "annual requirements" form.
BOTH forms must be completed and turned in, before the first day of practice.
Both forms can be accessed using the following directions:
click "sports medicine" tab
Under "Mshsaa resources tab" you will find both documents listed as follows:
-Current MSHSAA Pre-participation Physical Evaluation Form
-Current MSHSAA Pre-participation Documentation-Annual Requirements
Coaches also have these forms that they can give to athletes.
Dexter, MO - The Dexter Bearcats will host a Football Jamboree on Friday, August 19, 2022 at the Charles Bland Stadium beginning at 6:00 p.m. Four team will feature their skills on the field. Entry for all spectators will be free.
Dexter will play in their white jersey, Poplar Bluff will be in maroon, Fredericktown will have black on and Caruthersville will be in their red jersey.
Order of Play - North being the flag pole end, south being the scoreboard end.
Round 1: Dexter vs. Fredericktown (North) Poplar Bluff vs Caruthersville (South)
Round 2: Dexter vs. Poplar Bluff (North) Caruthersville vs Fredericktown (South)
Round 3: Dexter vs. Caruthersville (North) Poplar Bluff vs. Fredericktown (South)
Each Team will be on Offense and Defense for 12 plays each. Coaches will decide prior to the scrimmage which team will be on offense first.
Dexter, MO - Summer vacation is almost over and the Dexter Bearcat Band Camp will be held August 9th - 12th for the entire band
"Summer is passing quickly and it will soon be time for Marching Band Camp," stated DHS Band Director Giovanni Walker. "I'm so excited to start the new school year with the band students and I'm even more excited to have our new freshman come join the band!"
Walker expects this freshman class to be a fun one! They apparently provided him with a wig!
Important dates:
Leadership & Band Council July 27th and 28th from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Freshmen Only and Section Leaders August 8th 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Percussion Camp/Flag Tryouts August 8th 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Full Band Camp August 9th - 12th 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
"We are going to learn new music and a new marching drill for the upcoming season," continued Walker. "It is important that everyone makes an attempt to be here for all of the camp."
If band members have question you may contact Mr. Walker via email to gmwalker@dexter.k12.mo.us
"It's been a hot summer and it's going to be a hot band camp," stated Walker. "Each student needs to take proper precaution. Bring plenty of water and wear cool (but appropriate) clothing as well as comfortable shoes (NO flip flops or sandals) Don't forget hats, sunglasses and sunscreen!"
Students will need a lyre and flip folder, but if you don't have one there are a few available.
"I have high hopes and expectations for this year and I am very excited to see everyone."
Students may bring their lunch or go out to eat, but must be ready to rehearse for the afternoon session. If it's it not do not eat too much or you will get sick.
On Friday afternoon there will be water balloon fights and a chance to throw water balloons at the band directors. They will charge $1 to participate in the water balloon fight and 25 cents per balloon to throw at the directors. Make sure you wear or bring appropriate clothing for this as you will get wet!.
Last thing are the physicals! Due to a change in MSHSAA Rules, all band members are REQUIRED to get a physical. This must be done prior to band camp starting.
"I will send out a REMIND text for a free physical through SoutheastHEALTH as I am working with them to get this provided to the students."
Dexter, MO - Cody Boyer has been named the new head coach for Dexter HIgh School Wrestling. The Dexter R-XI School Board approved the hiring of Boyer earlier this year.
"The excitement that I'm experiencing right now is off the charts," commented Boyer.
Boyer started coaching wrestling in the 2011-2012 season as an assistant middle school coach with Marc Thrower. "Those kids knew more than me!" Boyer said that athletes like Ethan Stevens, Storm Massey, and James Mullins were just a few that taught him so much over the years. He then moved up to coaching at the high school level the following year as an assistant to Coach James Sneed and has been in that position until now.
"The knowledge that Coach Sneed and Coach Aaron Pixley have instilled in me can never be repaid and I thank them so much for that. They were amazing and helped bring Dexter their first ever District Title."
"Growing up I had a great opportunity to have an older brother who would practice with me in every sport that I participated in," stated Boyer. "My brother, Wade, played football, baseball and wrestling growing up and that's what I wanted to do as well. I wanted to be just like him or even better. He was a tremendous athlete. I tried wrestling at an early age, but I didn't really excel at it. So I didn't do it again until my 8th grade year. I lost weight and learned a good deal and then went on t wrestle in high school for three years.
Boyer has also coached football as an assistant for seven years and he has been the assistant baseball coach for ten years as a Bearcat. He is currently the Physical Education teacher at Southwest Elementary.
When as what his most memorable moment was about wrestling and he answered, "Coaching Trevor Waldner to a Missouri State Title!"
"I remember talking to him in the tunnel and telling him that his dad, Bob Waldner, would always tell me that he would be a State Champ one day." It came true! There are so many wonderful memories that came to mind according to Boyer. Winning a District Title, many of the athletes becoming state medalists, Waldner winning a state title, first ever girls state medalist was Julianna Rivera, Waldner becoming Dexter's first ever 3 time state medalist and just seeing all the athletes getting better and better every day on and off the mat.
This reporter asked him about Coach James Sneed who retired this year from Dexter. "What can I say about Coach Sneed? He was not just another coach to me, he is my friend and mentor," commented Boyer. "I cannot tell you how many times he had to tell me not to worry. That if I kept worrying then I would end up with hair like his.....LOL. We have the same mindset in that wrestling room. During matches we would yell the same thing at the same time! Coach Sneed would say we were in sync today. I could never repay what he has done for me and for my career. He will truly be missed."
"I found a saying just the other day that states: If you push yourself to failure, you will never fail. That is what I want these young men and women to know. yes, this is going to be hard, but it can be a great tool in the future. Don't give up when things get hard and tough, keep going, finish!."
"I want to thank my wife, Jordan Boyer and my daughter, Katie Grace for always being there for me and loving me. I know it’s hard for them. I want to thank my parents, Joy and Dale Boyer, for letting me play sports and have a love for competing. I want to thank my brother, Wade Boyer, for pushing me past my limits. I want to thank Coach Sneed, Coach Pixley and Coach Schwab for giving me the opportunity to help out with wrestling and giving me the love of the sport. I want to thank the administrators for having the faith in me."
Once a Bearcat! Always a Bearcat! I love this school!
