By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

POPLAR BLUFF - The Annual SEMO Conference Banquet was held Wednesday night at the Black River Coliseum, with Bearcat coaches and players all receiving awards after a great football season.

Dexter head coach Aaron Pixley was named SEMO Central Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. In the last two seasons under Pixley’s tutelage, the Bearcats have amassed a 17-7 record, back-to-back District Titles, a SEMO Conference Championship, and made it to the state quarterfinals in the ’09-’10 season. Pixley is the winningest coach in DHS history, with a 76-50 career record, including four District Titles since his first season in 2000.

DHS Left Tackle Zach Lacy was given the Lineman of the Year award for the SEMO Central division; he was joined by Farmington’s Ethan Hennes and Zach Estes of Scott City.


The SEMO Conference’s most prestigious award, the Carr Trophy, went to Caruthersville’s Elbie Fonda. The running back ran from 1,889 yards and 25 touchdowns during the regular season, leading the SEMO Conference in both aspects, and led the Tigers to an 11-2 record - their only two losses came in a 56-55 shootout against the Bearcats, and in the State Quarterfinals, where they fell 36-29 to Maplewood-Richmond Heights.

The other finalists for the Carr Trophy were Sikeston's James Watson, who rushed for 1,485 yards, Farmington quarterback Chase Busenbark, who threw for 1,698 yards, Chaffee's Tyson Estes, who ran for 1,431 yards, and DHS quarterback Cody Stevens, who threw for 1,375 yards and ran for 1,184 yards.


Stevens was the first Bearcat in school history to throw and run for over 1,000 yards in a season, and he also became the only second-generation member of the 1,000 Yard Club - his father, Nate, ran for over 1,000 in the ’85 and ’86 seasons.

Farmington linebacker Roper Garrett was presented with the inaugural Derland Moore Award for the most outstanding defensive player in the conference. Garrett was an integral part of the Knights‘ defense, with 127 tackles (82 solo, 45 assists), six sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Moore, a native of Poplar Bluff, was a walk-on defensive lineman at the University of Oklahoma and had a 14-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints. At the time of his drafting, Moore was the highest-picked walk-on player in NFL history.

After a 41-year career, Jackson assistant coach Bob Sink was given the Same Giambelluca Lifetime Achievement Award. Sink announced his retirement last month, during Jackson’s Football Banquet.

The Bearcats were well represented on the All-Conference Team, with 11 First Team members. They are:

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The DMS Bearcats fell to the Sikeston Bulldogs in the next to last game of the season on Tuesday night at the Bearcat Event Center.


The seventh grade squad found themselves on the receiving end of a 61-46 decision, while the eighth grade squad lost a close 56-52 contest that went right down to the wire.


The seventh grade ‘Cats were tied at 11 with the Bulldogs at the end of the first quarter, but Sikeston’s offense exploded with a 20 point effort in the second to take a 31-20 lead going into the half.


Jason Jarrell took the Bearcat offense under control during the second half, scoring 22 of Dexter’s 26 points in the second half and 36 of 46 in the entire game. The Bulldogs had another big offensive quarter in the third, putting up 17 points opposed to Dexter’s 10.


The Bearcats were able to outscore Sikeston 16-13 in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late for the seventh grade squad, as they fell 61-46.

The eighth grade contest was an exciting, action packed game. When these two teams met in their seventh grade seasons, Sikeston was able to nudge a one point victory.

The score was tight through all four quarters, with many ties and lead changes throughout. Ethan Flowers knocked down a three early in the first quarter for the Bearcats and spark a 21 point effort by the team in the opening frame. Cole Renken was dominant on the boards throughout the contest, and was able to chip in eight points in the first quarter alone.

The ‘Cats led by five at the end of the first, but the Bulldogs were able to hold Dexter to just six points in the second to tie the game at 27 heading into halftime.

Austin Chesser hit threes in the third quarter to help the ‘Cats to a 42-37 lead at the end of the frame.

Sikeston’s speed and physicality shocked the Bearcats at times, and helped Sikeston to a big fourth quarter comeback and a 56-52 victory.


The Bearcats will close the 2011 season Thursday (Dec. 1) night at Charleston.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

"The Presidents and Chancellors of the Southeastern Conference are pleased to welcome the University of Missouri to the SEC," said Dr. Bernie Machen, president of the University of Florida on Nov. 6.


Much to the joy (or chagrin, depending on your motivations) of Mizzou fans across the state, the long-awaited move to the SEC is happening.


Bye, bye Kansas and Oklahoma; see you later Texas.


The face of the Big XII is changing - Colorado left for the PAC-12, Nebraska jumped to the Big 10. Texas A&M, tired of always playing second fiddle to big brother Texas, has gone to the SEC, and now so has Mizzou - and the ShowMe Times Sports team wants to know how you feel about it.


We’ve put together a quick survey regarding NCAA Conference Realignment - click here to take the survey and let us know what you think!

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

CHARLESTON - The Bearcats battled hard for four quarters in the season opener against Charleston on Tuesday night, but fell victim to a 77-49 loss.


The final score didn’t reflect the Bearcats’ effort in the contest - they fought hard all night, and pulled within a point of the Blue Jays several times, but Charleston’s sheer athleticism and deep bench proved too much for the Bearcats.

“I’m disappointed the way the score ended up, because the kids played better than that,” head coach Rob Nichols said after the game. “Fatigue got us there in the end - we played six deep tonight, and when Charleston’s going nine or 10 deep off the bench over the course of the game, that pressure is going to get to you and it got us tonight.”


Jake Lee had an outstanding performance in his senior season opener, leading the Bearcats with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Tyler Miller chipped in 10 points and 7 boards, while Chase Young had eight points. Sophomores D.J. Dowdy and Cody Neldon both saw extensive time in the contest, and did a pretty good job of adjusting to the tempo of the varsity level.

“Jake [Lee] played great tonight, but our guards will need to play better as the year goes on,” Nichols said. “It’s one of those things, you’ve got young kids playing and having to learn their roles, and trying to learn that against Charleston, Sikeston, and Sikeston again [in the SEMO Tournament], it’s a brick wall for them to learn against.”

The ‘Cats were right there with the Blue Jays throughout the entire first half, never trailing by more than 5 points in the opening two frames. Some great defense by Miller and pure dominance on the defensive boards by Lee helped the ‘Cats stay within three at the end of the first and five at the end of the half.

The ‘Cats were able to hit a few quick buckets to pull within one at the beginning of the third quarter, but Charleston’s dangerous offense quickly rattled off 12 points, aided by a three point play from Gregory Tucker at the 5:45 mark.


The Blue Jays also transitioned into a full-court press in the second half, and Nichols felt his team didn’t do a great job against it.

“The press hurt, but we had kids open in the back of it, we just couldn't see it,” he said. “Charleston’s a good basketball team - they don’t go to the final four and finish third last year by luck or happenstance.”

Dowdy hit a big bucket to kill the Charleston run with 4:15 left in the third, but the Jays still held a commanding 53-38 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

Ryan Parham hit back to back threes to open the fourth quarter for the Blue Jays, but the Bearcats kept fighting despite trailing by 20-plus. Lee and Neldon each had a steal, while Miller picked up three offensive boards in the closing frame, and Young showed improvement in his defensive performance in the final quarter.

Despite the lopsided final score, Nichols thought there were still some positive things for the team to take out of the game.

“I saw a lot of good things - we played well all night, and in the first half executed in the half court pretty good,” Nichols said. “I had two sophomores out there tonight, and its probably a one point game at the half if we didn’t have that technical there at the end of the second. Fatigue got us in the third quarter, and [Charleston] really ramped the pressure up after that.”

In the JV contest, the young Bearcats' struggles continued as they dropped a 62-23 decision. Nick Noble and Stevie Payne led the 'Cats with seven points, while Cody Gibson chipped in six. The JV squad is now 0-4 on the year.


The Bearcats will be in action again on Friday night when they host the Sikeston Bulldogs in the season opener.


Tipoff is set with JV action at 6:00 p.m., and Varsity action immediately following.

The snow that fell last night is quickly becoming slushy water on the side of the road, and athletic events scheduled in the area schools for Tuesday night are being played.

The ShowMe Times has received word from Dexter Athletic Director Chuck Powers that games and matches will be played as scheduled.

The Dexter Bearcats will take on the Bluejays of Charleston on the Bluejays home court. Both the junior varsity and varsity teams will play this evening, with the JV matchup beginning at 6 p.m. in Charleston.

In addition the Dexter Middle School basketball boys will play the Sikeston Bulldogs tonight. The middle school games will begin at 6 p.m. and the Bearcat Event Center on Grant Street.

In addition, the middle school wrestling squad will be on the road tonight to take on Sikeston. The matchup will begin at 6 p.m. in the Sikeston High School Field House.

Bernie Tournament

Action in the Bernie Tournament will continue tonight after a delay on Monday night due to the weather.

According the Bernie Athletic Director Brad Botsch, the Bernie Mules will take on the Campbell Camels at p.m., followed by Holcomb Hornets and Puxico Indians game at 7:30. Games will be played at Bernie High School.

Photo Above: The Dexter Junior Variety squad is ready for Tuesday night's matchup against the Bluejays in Charleston. Watch the Wednesday ShowMe Times for complete game report! (SMT Photo by Andrew Cato)