Written by
Jessica Snider SMT Writer
It wasn’t your average volleyball game last night in the Bearcat Event Center. The Puxico Indians came to town to take on the Dexter Bearcats in a Junior Varsity and Varsity match up that was much more than a volleyball game.
Instead of the usual sea of red one might see upon walking into an athletic event in the Bearcat Event Center, most people could be found wearing pink while in attendance at last night’s game.
This year’s Breast Cancer Awareness game sponsored by the Lady Bearcat Volleyball team was known as, “Hits for Hope.” Dexter is not solo in hosting an event like this, as Bloomfield, Bernie, and Richland are to host one as well.
During last night’s game between the Bearcats and Indians, the Bearcats wore specially made pink uniforms, the whistles used by the refs were pink, and a pink ball was used during both the Junior Varsity and Varsity games.
With a feeling of happiness for those who are survivors, and a sense of hurt for loved ones lost to breast cancer, there was a great turn out for support of the volleyball game. 
With the players out on the court in their pink uniforms, many people were reminded of the great community in which we live in that is willing to turn something like a high school volleyball game into a fundraiser for 18 Fore Life and Breast Cancer Awareness.
It was a great game between the two schools, but the Dexter Bearcats took the victory in just two sets over the Indians.
The Bearcats came up big with many kills and a large number of digs against the Indians. Dexter took the first set with a score of 25-16.
The second set was a little too close for comfort for some Bearcat fans. Puxico came out onto the court strong and ready to return everything the Dexter Bearcats sent over the net. Despite Puxico’s talent and efforts, Dexter took the second set as well with a final of 25-22.
It was a great game played by the two very talented teams. Besides the game, the number of supporters for Hits for Hope was very impressive. There was even a large student section all decked out in pink to match the decorations hanging all around the Bearcat Event Center.
All donations will be given to 18 Fore Life and Breast Cancer Awareness. A huge thanks goes out to the many volunteers to make this happen. It’s safe to say that Hits for Hope was quite a hit!
In the first game of the Dexter Middle School Lady Bearcats season it was full of ups and downs. Both of the Lady 'Cat teams played well against the Donettes of Doniphan.
In the first game of the night the 7th grade Lady Cats came out a little slow but managed to be down by only four points at halftime by the score of 16-12.
The 7th grade Lady 'Cats played tough on defense but failed to capitalize on enough of their offensive oppurtunities and fell to the Donettes by the final score of 36-30.
In the final game of the night the 8th grade Lady Bearcats took on the 8th grade Doniphan Donettes. This game showcased a much better offense by the Lady 'Cats. In the first quarter of action Dexter came out looking sharp on defense but so did the Donettes.
As the game wore on the Lady 'Cats pulled further ahead in the lead by the score of 20-16 at halftime and a 30-23 third quarter score. In the final quarter Dexter's hustling defense created numerous turnovers and led to the final score of 48-36 and a Dexter Lady 'Cats victory.
The 7th and 8th grade Dexter Lady 'Cats next game will be at T.S. Hill Middle School against the Campbell Lady Camels on Thursday, October 4th at 6:00 P.M.
The Bearcats were unable to punch the ball into the end zone, and Brad Wick was called on to attempt a 20 yard field goal into the wind. The Wick field goal came up just short and NMCC took over at their own 20 yard line. 
The Eagles (2-4) made some mid-game adjustments, and in their 2nd possession after play resumed, New Madrid quickly moved the ball down to the Dexter 10 yard line on a 40 yard run by Mikael Walker. Two plays later, Walker found the end zone from 11 yards out and extended the New Madrid lead to 14-7.
"Chase had some big plays for us," explained Pixley. "He took a nice pass from DJ for a touchdown, and then he hit the hole hard on his long touchdown run."
As the fourth quarter progressed and the end of the game was drawing near, the defensive units for both squads really stepped up their game. With 2:00 remaining in the game, and the Bearcats needing a touchdown and a two point conversion to attempt a tie, they were forced to try and put the ball in the air in an attempt to cover the 78 yards needed for the score.
After 3 completions to Chase Young, the Bearcats moved the ball to midfield to set up a 3rd and 3. On the next play, the pass sailed over the intended receiver and was intercepted by TJ Clark, who returned it 63 yards for a touchdown. The third TD of the night by Clark secured the victory for the Eagles.
"I felt like our team played hard," Pixley said after the game. "We hit some big plays out there, but when playing against a team like this you really need to be able to move the sticks and not just rely on making big plays." The Bearcats ended the game with 11 first downs. New Madrid was able to "take a knee" on the following three plays enroute to a 28-13 victory over the Bearcats. However, the final score of this one does not tell the story of how closely matched the contest actually was.
Last night the 7th and 8th grade Dexter Bearcats went on the road to take on the Chaffee Red Devils in football action. The first game was a defensive showdown with the Bearcats outlasting the Red Devils in a game filled with toughness. The 7th grade Bearcats were able to keep the game close against the Red Devils and came out on top in the contest and won 6-0.
The 8th grade Dexter Bearcat team was clicking on all cylinders last night at Chaffee and defeated the 8th grade Red Devils. The 'Cats offense drove the ball up and down the field behind a potent rushing attack and well played passing game. Dexter won the 8th grade game in convincing fashion by the score of 32-0.
The Middle School Bearcats next game will be on the road against an always tough opponent in the New Madrid County Central Eagles on Tuesday October 2nd.
SMT Writer Nathan Gibson
The Dexter Bearcats won their game last week against the Kennett Indians in convincing fashion. The Bearcats looked good on both sides of the ball.
The 'Cats played well behind an opportunistic defense and a well balanced offense as they went on to beat the Kennett Indians by the score of 26-7.
The New Madrid County Central Eagles come into the game with a record of 1-5 after a loss to a very good Caruthersville Tigers team. The Central Eagles only win this year came against the Kennett Indians on September 8th at home by the final score of 31-7.
In the Eagles game against the Caruthersville Tigers last week the Eagles were defeated convincingly by the score of 41-14. After being down at halftime 27-0, the Eagles fought hard and managed a touchdown in each of the final two quarters of the second half."We gave up way too many big plays," NMCC head coach Arlen Pixley said. "Big plays have been killing us."
The Eagles have several talented and athletic players at the skill positions such as 6-3, 180-pound receiver, Devon Harrell. Harrell scored one of the Eagles touchdowns on a 20 yard pass and subsequent 50 yard run in the third quarter.
The Tigers offense was too much to handle however as they won the game by the final score of 41-14.
With both the Bearcats and the Eagles only wins coming against the Kennett Indians, this looks to be a very interesting matchup of two teams looking to get another W in the win column.
