By Joe Foster,
ShowMe Times Special Correspondent

ESSEX - On Thursday August 25, 2011 the Richland Parent-Teacher Organization hosted a Gatorade Game at the Richland High School Gym. Of course the admission for the Gatorade Game is a Gatorade or $1. The money and the drinks are then used for the volleyball team. High school Principal Casey Rost served as the referee.

“I have kids who attend Richland, and I wanted to support the school,” said Chelsie Eaton, P.T.O. President.

Since last year the team has worked and improved by getting their serves and receives, they’re working together, and better at their pass, hit and service drills.

“A lot of good girls have come out, they work really hard for their spot on the floor, and they’re all excited about the season,” said Head Coach Lisa Taylor.

“We work better as a team, we come together and communicate,” said Junior Varsity Player Whitney Teeters.

“We keep getting better every practice we have,” said Assistant Coach Stephanie DePew.

Varsity player Chelsea Freeman said, “We all have good team work, and we really like each other and get along.”

According to Varsity Player Baylee Taylor what she is most excited about this season she said one word, “Winning.”

The Richland Rebels’ first game is this Monday at 6 p.m. they will be going up against the Dexter Bearcats; the Rebels will be hosting the game.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

During the fall, Friday nights in small-town America usually result in quite an electric atmosphere. The scene will be no different at 7:00 tonight in Charles Bland Stadium when the ‘Cats kick off the 2011 season.

The Bearcats have been hard at work all summer preparing for this night. Summer weightlifting and conditioning sessions, camps, the newly-approved ‘contact days’, and two-a-days in the heat of early August - but all of it will come full-circle when the ‘Cats open the season against a familiar foe: the Ste. Genevive Dragons.

The ‘Cats are used to meeting Ste. Gen at the beginning of the season, and are becoming more accustomed to getting another go-round with the Dragons at the start of the ‘second season’: the MSHSAA State Playoffs.


Ste. Gen had the upper hand the first time they faced the ‘Cats last year, handing DHS a 41-25 road loss to start the 2010 season, but the ‘Cats were able to knock off the Dragons when they met at DHS in the first round of the playoffs.

Head coach Aaron Pixley has done nothing but talk up the Dragons, and rightfully so: coach Bob Stolzer’s squad is loaded with returning starters, including quarterback Brendan Weiler.

“That’s what makes them so tough, they didn’t really lose anything,” Pixley said. “They’re one of the best teams on our schedule, probably the best, and we have to play them week one.”

Pixley and Stolzer are two of the longest-tenured coaches in Southeast Missouri - Stolzer has been at Ste. Gen since 1989, and has led the Dragons to the State Championship Game twice, including a win in 1992 - and their squads are both the favorites in their respective districts.



The ‘Cats and the Dragons are also both ranked in the top 15 of the preseason statewide sportswriter’s poll. Dexter cracked the top 10, squeezing in at No. 9 in the state, with the Dragons clocking in at No. 12.

Dexter comes into the game fresh off a solid showing in their preseason jamboree; the ‘Cats had a few players with slight dings last week, but no serious injuries are plaguing them this week.
 The stage is set for an outstanding contest between two of the best teams in Southeast Missouri tonight.


The final preparations have been made. The last bit of game tape has been analyzed. Coaches have thrown in their game plan. All that’s left is for the ‘Cats to take the field, and with a unified effort, hopefully come out on top.

“They are a very good football team and they are going to be a tough task,” Pixley said. “We've got to play tough and we've just got to keep playing hard and stay together. If we stay together and play hard we'll have a chance."

Photo Above:
Head coach Aaron Pixley goes over the game with quarterback Cody Stevens during last week's jamboree.

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The ‘Cats are set to kick off their 2011 campaign at 7:00 p.m. Friday night. If you’re in town, head down to Charles Bland Stadium to catch this game - it looks like it’s going to be a great one! If you can’t go, make sure to check our Facebook or Twitter page for updates on the score of the game!

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

Friday night will be the culmination of a summer full of work.


It’s when all the blood, sweat, and pain of two-a-days will come to fruition.


Friday night means football season is here.


The ‘Cats, recently ranked No. 9 in the state in Class 3, have been hard at work all summer preparing for their season opener against Ste. Genevive, who cracked the top 15 in the same poll.


Head coach Aaron Pixley noted the returning talent on Ste. Gen.’s roster.

“They didn’t lose anything. They got basically every player back except for two or three position players,” Pixley said. “We expect them to be one of the best teams on our schedule, maybe the best team we’ll play. They’re going to be very good, and we’re going to have to play very well. We expect a good football team to show up Friday night.”


After a solid showing in their preseason jamboree, coupled with the momentum of being state-ranked, the ‘Cats are poised to do great things this season.

“As long as we stay together and keep playing hard and working on the little things, we’ll have a chance,” Pixley said.

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Senior Jake Lee fights off a block during team defensive drills. Lee will be starting at one of the defensive end slots, as well as tight end, for the 'Cats this season.

From Scott Holste, Press Secretary - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon

Face-off between Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams will include fan donations to Joplin Recovery and Relief funds, recognition of first responders and volunteers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today joined Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan and St. Louis Rams Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff to preview this Friday’s Governor Cup match-up at Arrowhead Stadium, which will include a number of activities to benefit and recognize Joplin recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The August 26th game will be the 42nd annual Governor’s Cup game, a series that has included exhibition and regular season games between the Chiefs and the St. Louis Rams (1996-present) and, prior to the Rams, the St. Louis Cardinals (1968-1987). 

The Governor made the announcement with Donovan and Demoff today at the Chiefs practice facility at Arrowhead Stadium.

“Missouri is fortunate to be one of a handful of states with more than one NFL franchise, and it is always exciting to see the Chiefs and Rams square off in the Governor’s Cup game,” Gov. Nixon said. “At the same time, it’s also great to have these two hometown organizations that truly care about the people of Missouri.

“This year’s Governor’s Cup will be dedicated to both assisting the people of Joplin in their continued recovery and rebuilding efforts, and to recognizing the thousands of volunteers and first-responders who have helped in Joplin,” the Governor said. “Friday’s clash at Arrowhead will provide fans with a preview of both teams’ regular seasons, as well as an opportunity to support Joplin.”

Fans attending the Chiefs-Rams game will have the opportunity to support the Joplin Recovery Fund and the Joplin Relief Fund by making donations as they enter Arrowhead Stadium.

Throughout the evening, the Chiefs will recognize first responders and volunteers, including more than 100 AmeriCorps volunteers, with both on-field ceremonies and video productions. Sideline personnel from both teams will also wear specially-designed hats and shirts worn by the teams during its recent visits to Joplin, which will be available at the stadium and online for purchase.

The Governor noted that the first responders who went to Joplin included more than 400 law enforcement and public safety agencies, including members of the Kansas City Fire Department and from several area police departments. More than 60,000 volunteers have turned out to help Joplin in the aftermath of the tornado, including those from the Harvesters Community Food Network and Heart to Heart International, both based in Kansas City.

“From the first hours and days following the tornado, we have been inspired the resiliency of the people of Joplin,” said the Chiefs’ Donovan. “Our employees who traveled to Joplin to volunteer experienced firsthand the power of their collective spirit. We’re hopeful that the Governor’s Cup game will give much-deserved recognition to the volunteers who have helped in the progress so far and bring visibility to the ongoing needs as the city rebuilds. We’re proud to join with Gov. Nixon and the St. Louis Rams in this important effort.”

“This year’s Governor’s Cup presents us with a unique opportunity to keep the spotlight on our fellow Missourians in Joplin, and remind people of the ongoing needs in that community,” said the Rams’ Demoff. “Our organization’s trip to volunteer in Joplin was a sobering reminder of both the devastation that occurred and the spirit of the community as it rebuilds. The Rams look forward to working with Gov. Nixon and the Kansas City Chiefs to leverage the power of sports to bring awareness and support to the people of Joplin.” 

“Beginning with the Cardinals-Royals ‘Teams United for Joplin’ series in June, Missouri’s professional sports organizations have stepped forward to help the people of Joplin, and that help has been tremendously appreciated,” Gov. Nixon said.

Photo above
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon inspects the Governor’s Cup before the 2010 edition of the game.

From Jim Low, Missouri Department of Conservation

Bruce Cunningham was hoping for a “nice” fishing trip.
Thanks to Missouri’s world-class fishing, he got a bonus.

GAINESVILLE–“You’re not going to believe this until you try it.”

According to Bruce Cunningham, that is what his brothers said when trying to persuade him to go fishing with them in June. Brad and Brock Cunningham had discovered the excitement of catching striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake, and they wanted to share it with their older brother.

Bruce decided to play along, and at 1 a.m. June 18 he found himself holding a new state-record striper weighing in at 60 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch nudged aside the previous pole-and-line record, a 58-pounder caught by John West, of Republic, in July 2010.

Cunningham, 30, of Fordland, was fishing from a boat in the upper reaches of Bull Shoals when the record fish grabbed the large plastic minnow he was casting. He was fishing in about 40 feet of water.

The fish was 47 inches long and had a girth of slightly more than 36 inches.

The two younger Cunningham brothers were rewarded for sharing their discovery. They boated several other stripers that topped 40 pounds the night Bruce caught his.

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are native to the Atlantic Ocean but make spawning runs up rivers along the East Coast. These ocean-run striped bass can grow to 6 feet long and 125 pounds. Although not native to Missouri, “stripers” have adapted well to fresh-water reservoirs and streams. However, they do not grow as large in fresh water.

Bull Shoals is Missouri’s striped-bass mecca right now, thanks to a one-time stocking by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 1998. That year, a mix-up resulted in the stocking of 19,000 striped bass. Ken Shirley, district fisheries supervisor for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, said the fish were intended for Norfork Lake.

“We were expecting a shipment of walleye for Bull Shoals,” said Shirley. “A summer helper called to tell us that a shipment of fish had arrived at the hatchery and asked where they were supposed to go. We thought it was the walleyes, so we told him to take them to Bull Shoals. It turned out they were striped bass.”

Shirley said the surviving fish from that mistaken stocking now weigh between 30 and 60 pounds and are near the end of their lives. He expects the boom in trophy striper fishing at Bull Shoals to taper off over the next four or five years as fish from the accidental stocking slowly disappear.

More information about Missouri fishing records is available at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/reports/records.