By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor
The Dexter Bearcats will face one of their toughest tests of the season tonight when they host the Sikeston Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are 1-1 on the season, after suffering a big week one loss to Gateway Tech, but fresh from an explosive offensive performance against Charleston last week.
Head coach Aaron Pixley felt the team had a solid week of practices, and noted Sikeston’s speed as the main area of concern.
“[Practice has] been going well,” Pixley commented. “I always feel that we can get better at a lot of things, I think we can practice better a lot of times. We’ve had excellent moments, and some not so great, but overall, we’ve had solid practices all week.”
“I’m concerned with their [Sikeston’s] speed, period. One of the fastest teams around, if not the fastest. It’s just something that we’ll have to line up right and execute. The only way to beat speed is by being in the right spot and doing your job,” Pixley continued. “Alignment, assignment, and then explode.”
Pixley felt the team struggled with tackling after last week’s contest with Park Hills, and noted that the same mistakes cannot be made against the Bulldogs.
”When we do get there on defense, we have to tackle - if we’re sloppy with tackling and miss, they’ll take it to the house every time,” he said.
The ‘Cats received some great news yesterday: running back/linebacker Nick Summers is cleared to play in the contest.
Summers suffered a shoulder injury during the Park Hills game and was pulled after the first half for precautionary measures, but after an appointment with team physician Dr. Bobby Jibben on Thursday, the senior has been given the ‘green light’ to be on the field in full capacity tonight.
"I can't believe we were that close to holding [Nick] out this Friday," Pixley said. "Nick is a playmaker and we sure are glad to have him in the lineup.”
The contest between Dexter and Sikeston at Charles Bland Stadium is set to get underway at 7:00 p.m.
If you can’t make it to the game, make sure to check out our Facebook or Twitter page for updates on the score and big plays!
SBU Football to host Arkansas Tech in Home Opener on Saturday, September 10
Last week, the scoring for SBU was started in the first half by Raymond Segura returning an interception 28 yards for the touchdown. The Interception was the fire that SBU need to get their offiense moving. During the 2nd half, SBU came out on fire and scored three straight tuchdowns. Two of the scores came from Justin Duhaney and Thad Everson who both recorded rushing touchdowns. Justin French also had one passing touchdown that come late in 3rd quarter when he connected with Derwyn Lauderdale for a 16 yard score.
Things are looking good for the Bearcats as they go into the next game this weekend against the Wonder Boys. Coach Allen’s theme contiunes to be “Leave no Doubt”. He wants all of his athlets to have the mind set of “Every day you come to work, every day you’ve got to get better, every day you have to compete.”
Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. from Plaster Stadium in Bolivar.
For more information on SBU Bearcat Athletics, visit sbubearcats.com.
By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor
The Lady ‘Cats keep on winning on the volleyball courts - both squads picked up relatively easy wins during Thursday night’s contest against the NMCC Lady Eagles.
In JV action, the ‘Cats breezed through the first set, 25-9, before facing some stiffer competition in the second, but they still picked up a 25-17 win - they have yet to lose a set this season.
The Varsity squad picked up where the JV left off, and cruised to 25-11 and 25-6 victories.
Head coach Lauren Hutchcraft was very pleased with her squads’ performance.
“In terms of effort, I feel my girls played just the way I expected them to. Of course, we made some mistakes here and there, but that's to be expected,” Hutchcraft noted. “Overall,their effort was pretty good. We can always move our feet quicker on defense to pick up balls, but I'm overall pleased with their effort, attitude, and good spirits!”
Senior McKenzie Mitchell led the way for the ‘Cats in the contest; She racked up 4 digs, 3 kills, 6 aces, and was an astounding 19 for 19 from the service line, including a 14 serve rally in the first set. Teammate Hannah Noe, a sophomore, racked 16 assists in the contest.
“McKenzie had a good game this evening,” Hutchcraft continued. “She is a great server and that showed tonight, especially in the first set with five aces! I can always count on her to really attack the ball when she's on front row, too, which will be crucial tomorrow night against Notre Dame.”
The Lady ‘Cats will face district rival - and a major volleyball powerhouse for the last decade - Notre Dame tomorrow night during the SEMO Tournament, held in both the ShowMe Center and the Notre Dame High School gym. This matchup will be a great ‘preview’ game for the ‘Cats, as they usually don’t get to face the Lady Bulldogs until the week before districts.
The 'Cats will have 'pool play' games Friday evening and Saturday morning, with the tournament bracket kicking off Saturday afternoon.
“The top team from each pool will advance to the Gold bracket; the second team will go to the Silver; and the third team will go to the Bronze,” Hutchcraft said. “The SEMO Tournament will be a good tournament for anyone wanting to watch some good volleyball in the area!”
The full bracket for the tournament can be printed out here.
CAPE GIRARDEAU - One of Dexter and Southeast Missouri’s most memorable and successful athletes and coaches will be inducted into he Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of Athletics 2011 Hall of Fame.
Dexter native, athlete and coach Tom Thrower will be among five individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame in ceremonies later this year.
Thrower attended Southeast and played football, basketball, track and field from 1958-1960.
While at Southeast, he was a two-time All-MIAA performer at three positions (running back, defensive back, special teams) in football. He led the conference in rushing with 7.5 yards per carry in 1959. He was the 1958 MIAA Conference Champion in the javelin, as well.
Thrower was his team's top punter and punt returner, third-leading scorer and third-leading receiver. He returned to Southeast to become an assistant football coach under Kenneth Knox and was later hired as head coach. Thrower compiled a 37-22-2 (.607) career record with three MIAA Championships (1968, 1969, 1973).
He went on to coach at Dexter High School, leading a “golden era” of Bearcat football with the likes of Jim Bland, David Lee, 'Tank' Miller, Don Jones and others in the 1960s. He returned to DHS as the head football coach in the late 70's as well.
Others named the 2011 Class for the Hall of Fame include John "Hap" Bernard (basketball, football, baseball, 1908 to 1913), Greg Brune (football, baseball, 1964 to 1968), Bobby Ferguson (track & field, 1983 to 1986), Jeremy Johnson (baseball, 1996 to 2000), as well as the 1991 softball team.
(Photo provided by Southeast Missouri State University Sports Information Office)
