Article by SMT Sports Writer
The Dexter Bearcats travel south to take on the Tigers of Caruthersville tonight in a gridiron classic. This has always been a grudge game in the Bearcat’s season. The Tigers typically bring a tremendous amount of speed that is matched with an aggressive, physical playing style that is difficult to overcome.
The 2012 season has been a tough start for the ‘Cats dropping the first three games of the season to St. Gen, Poplar Bluff, and last week to the Sikeston Bulldogs. The young Bearcat team has faced this tough schedule and done a good job against strong competitors.
The going does not improve tonight as the Caruthersville Tigers come into tonight’s contest with a record of 2 -1. There only loss this season was suffered at the hands of undefeated Liberty (Moutain View) High School by a score of 48 to 12.
According to the Bearcats’ coaching staff, the team has had a good week of practice. Monday’s film and walk-thru practice was real good, as was Tuesday’s practice. Overall the ‘Cats expect to be prepared for tonight’s challenge.
“Obviously we are very banged up,” noted head coach Aaron Pixley. “We do what we can do … no excuses.”
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Dexter with the loss of standout Cody Neldon and Dylon Aaron. Both athletes were key players on both sides of the football. Aaron was the anchor to the offensive line as the only returning starter from the 2011 season.
“We’ve just got numerous kids that were forced to set out of practices due to injuries like ankle sprains and tendonitis,” Pixley pointed out.
After receiving a dislocation to his patella, Jonathon Page was hopeful for tonight’s contest. Unfortunately, Page will not be in the lineup against the Tigers. He is fully expected to return next week against the Kennett Indians.
The big question mark all week was the Bearcat quarterback D J Dowdy, who suffered a high ankle sprain last week against the Sikeston Bulldogs. Dowdy was able to practice this week and is slated to be back in his starting role tonight.
“You would be hard pressed to get D J to sit out of a practice much less to miss a Friday night game.,” Pixley noted about his quarterback.
Running back Darrell Monroe has been the talk of Southeast Missouri with his burst of speed and quick moves. The 6-2, 220 pound junior is a challenge for opposing defensive units, but the Tigers are not a one man show this season.
The offensive line of the Tigers is solid, big, and very active. Tigers’ Head Coach, Nathan Morgan, notes that his offensive line is really good. The line is young in a few places, however, the offensive guards go 6’ 4” and are able to execute well on their assignments.
The quarterback for the Tigers is a dual threat, able to run and throw the football. Against the Charleston Bluejays, Grissom earned 53-yards passing, one for a touchdown and 32-yards rushing, two for touchdowns. He is able to keep the defense unsettled as his 6-2, 220 pound frame is a load to handle.
The Tigers are very aggressive defensively. We can expect them to come off the ball and be very physical. They are simply an all-around good football team. From sideline to sideline, Caruthersville will have speed that the ‘Cats will have to deal with all night.
Pre-week scouting reports all indicate that the Tigers have a good passing game. You can expect that they will catch the ball well, and they will run the ball after the catch. The Tigers are capable of throwing the ball deep, but primarily use screen plays and the flats.
“We are very young in spots in our defensive secondary,” added Pixley. “We simply have to focus and do our jobs.”.
Coach Pixley closed, “you know that only three things can happen when you throw the football. One of them is good and two of them are bad.”
The Bearcats are hopeful that the latter two predictions occur for their sake tonight. Game time begins at 7:00 PM and you can catch the action on KDEX FM at 102.3.
Written By
Jessica Snider SMT Writer
Thursday night the Bearcat Event Center was decorated in black to support the Lady Bearcats Volleyball team. Realizing the rematch with the Bernie Mules would be close contest, members of the teams fan club slipped into the gym on Wednesday night to "Black Out" the gym to ensure the team spirit was at the highest level.
Fans began to roll into Bearcat Event Center dressed in black in hopes of “blacking-out” the Bernie Mules. Everyone was aware this would be a close game between these two powerhouse volleyball teams. A large number of spectators from both teams were on hand at the BEC, including a large contingent of DHS Students.
This past weekend, the Lady 'Cats lost to the Mules in a three-set game. That weekend loss brought about a large degree of seriousness about this regular season meeting. Coach Morgan has been getting her Bearcats focused and ready for this big match-up.
The Bearcat fans brought the best game to the gym as well. Complete with black attire and spirited signs held up throughout the student section, the Dexter Bearcats stepped onto the court with winning on their minds. "Welcome To The Block Party" stated one sign.
The fans were not disappointed as both the Dexter Bearcats and the Bernie Mules had arrived to do business. It was fast action volleyball filled with smashing spikes, high flying blocks and hard driving serves.
During the second set, Bernie came out onto the court with a different game plan. Like two prize fighters, the teams exchanged a one point lead throughout the game, with Bernie taking the set number two by a score of 25-27.
With reflections of the past weekend's tournament, the Bearcats and Mules required a third set deciding game to determine a winner of this contest. With a determined faces, you could sense from the moment they stepped out of the huddle that both teams were ready to end this contest with a victory.
The Bearcats quickly found themselves behind the Mules but up stepped Hannah Noe with her powerful serves to change her teams position on the scoreboard. Hannah recaptured the lead for the 'Cats with a 12-point run.
Dexter remained focused and fought hard against Bernie’s hits and refusal to let nothing hit the floor. After the Bearcats gained a the lead over the Mules during the last set, the team rallied to defeat Bernie 25-18.
This was a great game between two very talented volleyball teams. Fans of Dexter and Bernie were on the edge of their seats throughout the games and left the gym knowing each team gave it their all.
Article Written By
SMT Writer Beth Farrah
The Richland Rebels placed their faith and high hopes in this year’s SEMO Spike Volley Tournament in Cape Girardeau. The volleyball team won two out of three games on Saturday, losing to Cape Central but defeating Greenville and Southern Reynolds. The team hoped that the tournament would turn the season around and it proved to do just that.
After the Rebels returned home, they continued their winning streak when they defeated the Zalma Bulldogs. The Rebels are finally in the swing of things, winning three games in a row. The team and coaches believe that their hard practice has finally paid off.
Their next game was played on September 13th against the Bell City Cubs. It was a very close game that lasted 3 sets and kept the fans in the bleachers on the edge of their seats. The first game was taken by the Lady Rebels, with a final score of 32 to 30. The next game was won by the Cubs after a constant back and forth struggle throughout the game, ending in 25 to 17. The Rebels strategized and came back for the last win, taking two out of the three sets and snatching the victory for Thursday night.
The Rebels’ next game is against the Advance Hornets on September 17th. The ladies are also currently preparing for the Gideon Tournament that will be held on September 20th.
The volleyball girls are now on a strong winning streak and it has the Richland Pep Club and other supporters excited. The photos from tonight's contest were compliments of below Janie King. The spirit and enthusiasm for Rebel volleyball has the fans ready to see where the rest of the season will take us.
SMT Contributing Writer
With an abundant amount of jokes, doubts and ridicule being handed to Missouri fans since the announced move from the Big 12 to the SEC, many were concerned of Missouri's chances of surviving the entry into the infamous Southeastern Conference. The league where the linemen are big, the running backs are lightning fast, and the football is more of a religion, than a sport.
However, there are two parts to a football tradition that need to be accounted in this coming out party of the Missouri Tigers. First, they lost the game and that was a heart breaker to many. Second, the atmosphere of the MIZZOU campus was electrified and matched any SEC Conference school in the art of "Tailgating".
With only a few minor adjustments needed (such as hotel room space, parking and seating), the University of Missouri in Columbia will continue the long tradition of pregame fun, fantastic BBQ and the exciting football.
They may have to work on the traditions of winning, because it will be a tough adjustment for the athletic program. It will require major adjustments in recruiting, in athleticism, and even in fundraising. The SEC is somewhat a "Keeping Up with the Jones" endeavor. But the end results, MIZZOU is now a part of the powerful tradition and the wonderful mystic that is SEC Football. 
Clay Travis has taken an interesting look at the entry of MIZZOU into the SEC in his blog titled, Out Kick The Coverage. In his article Dixieland Delight; Missouri (Part I), Clay offers a funny yet delightful comparison on how Missouri matches up to the pregame antics that he has witnessed throughout the Southeastern Conference. It's the real stuff, so those with fragile minds might avoid the click. 50x.png)
Either way it goes, we would like for you to comment on the ShowMe Times Facebook Page what your opinion was of the weekend at Ole MIZZOU. When all is said and done and the sun sets, MIZZOU has to be proud we are in the SEC. The long term results of this move will be a new heritage and pride mark for the fans and the school.
As many Bearcat fans know, the Bernie Mules always supply good competition in every sport played against the Bearcats. Over the years the Mules have come to be one of the Dexter Bearcats’ biggest rivalries.
Tomorrow night the Dexter Lady Bearcat Volleyball Team will be taking on the Bernie Mules on Dexter’s home-court in the Bearcat Event Center.
Although the Bearcats will have home-court advantage, it is anticipated to be a very close match between the two evenly talented teams. Both teams are under the leadership of new coaches this year.
In support of your hometown Bearcats, parents, family, and friends are asking that all Dexter fans show up wearing black in hopes to “Black-Out” the Mules.
With the support and encouragement of their town, the Dexter Bearcat Volleyball Team will have the ability to take down the Mules tomorrow night.
All Dexter fans are encouraged to attend the game Thursday night. Junior Varsity will get started at 6:00 P.M. with the Varsity following directly after.
Don’t forget to wear black to support the Dexter Bearcats!
