Malden, Missouri – With the new playoff system this year, the Dexter Bearcats traveled south to meet the Malden Greenwave in the final regular season game of the 2012 football season. With Malden riding a 5 game winning streak, and Dexter with only one win on the season, the Bearcats were hopeful to find a final victory to round out their season.
The Greenwaves came into the game with great performances this season by Southeast Missouri's leading rusher, Romello “Mello” McCoy. They had also found a great surprise in freshman quarterback, Chapin Riley and their speedy junior wide out Gunner Jones. They both would prove to be a challenge to stop for the Bearcats.
The Greenwave found great sucess Friday night, as McCoy and Riley combined for over 300 yards rushing, and Malden defeated the Bearcats by the final score of 58-26.
"Big plays just destroyed us out there tonight," said Dexter head coach Aaron Pixley. The Malden offense managed to rush for four touchdowns covering 50 yards or more.
After the opening kickoff, the Bearcat offense went right to work running the football using Joyner as their primary workhouse. Unfortunately, the ‘Cats were forced to punt after only five plays from scrimmage.
The Bearcat defense took to the field to take on the explosive offense of the Greenwave. Jonathan Page came up big for the ‘Cats with a hard hit at the line of scrimmage that sprung the ball loose. Trevor Waldner was quick to snatch up the loose ball at the Greenwaves 25-yard line and advance it to the 18-yard line.
The red zone has not been kind to the ‘Cats this season and once again, a holding penalty moved the Bearcats out of scoring position. Subsequently, a fumble prevented the Bearcats from capitalizing on the Greenwave turnover.
Later in the first quarter, Malden’s Gunner Jones took the football down the right side and turned the ball north for a 75 yard touchdown run. With a burst of blazing speed, Jones rounded the corner and outran the Dexter secondary, finding his way into the endzone for the first score of the game. McCoy's attempt to run the two point conversion was unsuccessful as Jonathan Foels stepped up for the ‘Cats and made the tackle at the one yard line.
The Bearcats next offensive series was also unproductive as the ‘Cats were forced to punt after another three and out. The Bearcats dodged a bullet as McCoy showed his incredible speed on the field. The Bearcats surrounded McCoy but he sprung through a hole to the endzone. Fortunately for the ‘Cats, McCoy had stepped out of bounds at the Bearcat 33 yard line.
Gunner Jones then went to work with an end around play, carrying the ball down to the 10 yard line. McCoy jumped into action with a run to the outside and was tackled just shy of the goal line. On the next play, Mitchell Coleman took the ball straight up the middle for another Greenwave touchdown. The 2 point conversion failed when McCoy was meet by a huge hit by Noah Kronk at the goal line. Regardless, Malden secured the early lead of 12-0.
Ryan Joyner took the ensuing kickoff and got things started with a return out to the 34 yard line. Smashing, banging, and searching for someone to hit, Joyner continued his powerful running style for the ‘Cats and moved the ball out across midfield for a 16 yard gain to the 48 yard line of the Greenwaves.
Flushed from the pocket on the following play, Bearcats’ quarterback D J Dowdy rolled out to the right and tossed a perfect pass over the Greenwave defender to the outstretched hands of Ethan Stevens. Stevens catch was nothing less than spectacular to move the Cats into a perfect scoring position. Joyner took the ball on the next play at the 5 yard line and powered his way through the right side untouched for the Bearcats' first touchdown of the night. Brad Wick’s extra point was right on the money and made the score 12 to 7.
The Bearcat defense toughened up on the Greenwaves on the next series of action as Waldner and Aldridge came up big to wipe out a sweep for a loss. Jonathan Foels dropped back in pass protection to offer his own big play shutting down a Greenwave pass to the flats.
With the Greenwaves averaging 11 yards per carry in the 1st quarter, the Greenwaves avoided punting the ball and went for the 4th down and 6. The Bearcats defense came up huge to stop the Greenwaves 1 yard short of a 1st down. This was a big momentum swing early in the game.
Under extreme pressure from the Greenwave defensive front line, Dowdy backed up to pass on 3rd down and tossed the ball into a heavily covered Chase Young. Edwin Hale played a perfect centerfield, picking the ball off for the Greenwave.
After the turnover, McCoy and company began to move the football progressively down the field. McCory took the ball on 2nd down from the 26 yard line and juked over the left side and quickly moved to the outside finding the endzone once again. The two point conversion was denied yet again by the Bearcat defense making the score 18 to 7 in favor of Malden.
Malden’s kickoff team delicately handled the threat of Chase Young’s return skills with the placement of their kickoffs. However, the Greenwave’s squib kick traveled too deep down the field and found the hands of Chase Young at the 15 yard line. Chase quickly snatched the ball and discovered good blocking and a hole in the middle to break away for a 85 yard touchdown run. After a bobbled snap, Dexter's DJ Dowdy attempted to convert the two-point conversion, but was tackled short leaving Malden ahead by the score of 18 to 13.
From the first play of Malden’s next series, McCoy was loose again over the right side, traveling up the sidelines for a 49-yard run down to the Bearcats 10-yard line. McCoy took the next handoff to the right side and cut back into the endzone for yet another Greenwave score. McCoy quickly converted on the 2-point conversion making the score 26 to 19.
On the following possession, the Bearcats stalled on offense and were forced to punt after only three plays from scrimmage. A low driving punt hit a Bearcat defender and gave the Greenwaves excellent field position at the Bearcat 49 yard line.
A series of penalties complicated the next series of the Malden Greenwaves. Gunner Jones provided some excitement as he blazed over the left side and near the endzone, forced out of bounds by Ethan Stevens at the 2 yard line. Fortunately for the ‘Cats, a holding penalty again brought the ball back to the 37 yard line. A pass deep into Bearcat territory was broken up by an excellent play by Sion Pixley. This penalty ridden, marathon drive gave the Greenwaves one final attempt at a fourth down and 22 yards. A long floating pass to the endzone was intercepted by Chase Young and returned back to the previous line of scrimmage.
The Bearcats failed to get anything going on the next series and were forced to punt the ball back to Malden.
With 1:49 left in the first half, the Greenwaves found the endzone again as Gunner Jones ran an end around the right side for a 61 yard touchdown. This one play touchdown series and the 2 point conversion by McCoy made the score 34 to 13 in favor of Malden.
The Bearcats attempted one last drive prior to the end of the first half. With 12 seconds remaining, a 26-yard completion from Dowdy to Ethan Stevens gave the ‘Cats a little life. At the 3-seconds mark and the Greenwaves in a full prevent defense, Dowdy backed up and delivered a high, long pass to the conrner of the endzone to Austin Aldridge for a spectacular catch and a Bearcat score. The 2 point conversion failed, ending the half with a score of 34 to 19 in favor of the Greenwave.
Starting the second half, the Bearcat defense came out with a new plan and a big stand to deny the Waves any yardage. The first punt of the night for Malden gave the ball over to the Bearcats at the 11-yard line. The Bearcats were unable to move the football offensively and were forced to punt. A booming 43-yard punt by Hunter Hayes saved the Bearcats from giving the Greenwaves great field position.
The Bearcat defense battled back as Holden Bruce prevented McCoy from getting outside his position and reversed his direction. At that point, Trevor Waldner was able to take McCoy down for a 10 yard loss. Brad Wick added to the defensive stand by dropping McCoy for a 2-yard loss on the next play, and bringing up 3rd down and 22. The Bearcats held once again, forcing another quick punt by Malden.
Midway through the 3rd quarter, the Bearcat offensive line began to offer Dowdy good pass protection. Dowdy responded by connecting with Austin Aldridge for a first down. Then, Dowdy delivered a catchable pass to tight end Jonathan Page that tipped from his hands to a Malden defender.
After the interception, Malden came out with a big gain on the first play from scrimmage. That yardage was with an added facemask penalty against the Bearcats resulted in a 1st and 10 from the Bearcat 14 yard line. McCoy then broke four tackles to find the end zone at the 5:30 mark in the 3rd Qtr. He just wouldn't go down and he knew how to break tackles. Riley tossed a bullet to Mitchell Coleman for the 2 point conversion and Malden extended their lead to 42-19.
The Bearcat offense caught Malden in a blitz package and were able to allow Joyner to pick up a first down for the ‘Cats. Dowdy’s long pass to Stevens was flagged as defensive interference giving life to this 3rd quarter drive. A Bearcat hold moved the ball back to the 32 yard line for a 1st down and 22. Battling back to near the original line of scrimmage, the ‘Cats were again unable to make things happen and turned the ball over on downs.
The Bearcats defense continued to stiffen up as Logan Quertermous made a sack for a loss to close the end of the 3rd quarter. The ‘Cats held tight, getting the ball back on offense and ready to move toward the endzone.
Back to back receptions by Pixley and Stevens took the ball down to the 24 yard line. A series of penalties created a 4th and long and the Bearcats were unable to convert on the series turning the ball over to Malden.
Wirh 8:25 in the 4th, Nick Thompson for the Greenwaves sprang loose straight up the middle for a 54 yard touchdown run. The 2 point conversion was good making the score 50 to 19.
The Bearcats started the following possession with two passes to Stevens and Page, followed by an impressive 17 yard run by Foels. Again, the Bearcats entered the dreaded “Red Zone”. However, this time Dowdy connected to Stevens over the middle for 21 yard touchdown pass with the clock at the 5:47 mark. Brad Wick split the uprights on the PAT and Dexter narrowed the score to 50 to 26.
But the Greenwaves were not done racking up offensive yardage as Mitchell took off on a 52 yard touchdown run. McCoy added the 2 point conversion to make secure the victory by the final score of 58-26.
The Bearcats were lead in rushing by Joyner, who had 55 yards on 18 carries. Dowdy, who was often flushed our of the pocket, managed to accumulate 38 yards rushing on 21 carries.
Dowdy completed 12 of 21 passes for a total of 177 yards and two touchdowns. With the injury to Young, several younger Bearcat receiver stepped up to the plate. Ethan Stevens had a coming out party as he caught 6 passes for a total of 106 yards and one touchdown. Austin Aldridge had 2 reception on the evening for 39 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, the Bearcats were lead by Foels and Stevens with 9 tackles apiece. Trevor Waldner came up huge again with 8 tackles. of which 2 were for losses. Sophomore Noah Kronk ended the night wth 5 tackles. Joyner, Wick and Quertermous ended the contest with 4 tackles apiece. Quertermous had the only sack on the night.
With the loss, the Bearcats move to 1-8 on the season. The defeat leaves the Bearcats in 6th place in the District and sets up the week 10 playoff game against Fredricktown. The Bearcats will have to travel to play the Blackcats on the road next Thursday, with the kickoff set for 7:00 pm.
Following the game, Coach Pixley stated, "Fredricktown is a very good team, and they have a lot of their kids back from last season." He went on to say, "We hope to go up there and play our hearts out, be more productive in our run game, and get some things going." Coach Pixley told his team after the game, "We have one more shot at correcting some of our mistakes, and in this game we have to get it right."
On Thursday, October 18th, the Richland Rebel Volleyball Team laughed and cried together during their last home game of the season. The team celebrated a great season with their two senior girls: Baylee Taylor and Rebecca Harden. Both of the girls have played volleyball all four years of high school for the Lady Rebels and made a bittersweet departure on senior night.
Baylee Taylor is the daughter of Lisa and John Taylor and is the setter for the Richland Volleyball Team. Aside from playing hard on the volleyball court, she is involved in many other clubs and activities and is currently the president of Richland’s FFA chapter and FBLA chapter and is the Vice President of Student Council and is the secretary of her senior class. This time next year, she plans on attending college and becoming an athletic trainer.
Becka Harden is the daughter of Randy and Rhonda Manes and is the Lady Rebel’s libero. Harden is active in all the clubs and organizations that Richland has to offer and has been a member to each of these all four years of her high school career. She is Richland’s FCCLA chapter president and is a member of StuCo, Beta Club, FCA, Library Club, marching band, FBLA, and Pep Club. When she graduates, she plans on becoming a registered nurse.
The team played a fantastic final game against the Risco Tigers, winning both the games and taking one last victory before districts on October 22nd. The Rebels kept the lead during the first game, ending it at 25 to 13. Their second and final game ended at 25 to 7, allowing the Rebels to take one last victory for the 2012 season.
Defensive player and junior, McKenzie Hills, led the game with the most digs for the Rebels. The team’s setter and senior, Baylee Taylor, had the most assists along with four aces throughout both of the games. Junior and middle hitter, Mackenzie Williams, received four aces and led the Lady Rebels as their top hitter of the night. Junior and outside hitter, Kaitlyn Jones, got a total of nine aces for the Rebels during their victory over the Tigers.
They volleyball team was sad to let their senior players go but are glad that they had many successful years together. Harden and Taylor both received gifts and flowers from the team and many tears on the court and in the stands were shed. The families of the two girls came out to support them on their last ever volleyball game in the Richland gymnasium. Congratulations to Becka and Baylee for playing four great seasons with the Lady Rebels.
(Photos for this article are credited to Janie King)
Dexter is coming off of a game with the Park Hills Rebels that everyone knew going into it would be tough. Dexter hung in with the Rebels until halftime and looked like they could come away with a win. If the Bearcats can match that first half effort and execution against the Geenwave this week they could get a much needed win.
The Malden Greenwave are coming off of a win in their match-up last week against the Kennett Indians. The Greenwave dominated the Kennett Indians by the score of 67-22. Malden is riding a five game winning streak coming into their game against the Bearcats.
In the Greenwave's game against the Kennett Indians, Malden played a near perfect game. The Greenwave has a very explosive offense that feature several quick and athletic players.It was the Green Wave's fifth straight victory of the 2012 season and Kennett's eighth consecutive loss.
Malden has two good runningbacks and a good offensive line. Their receivers block well on the edge and their backs are tough. They have what it takes to run the ball well. They aren't super fancy in what they do, but they do it well.
One of the Greenwave backs, Dremond Robinson had three rushing touchdowns for Malden in the second half, after coming in for the starter Romello McCoy, including two in the third quarter. Robinson had 14 carries for 99 yards. McCoy finished with 16 carries for 146 yards all in the first half.
When asked about their upcoming game against Dexter, coach Wyatt of Malden commented, "Huge game!" "It's only my third time to coach against Dexter. The first time I got this job everybody told me 'coach you've got to beat Dexter. Throw the records out the window. We know they are well-coached and bring a physical brand of football. By no means are we going to take them lightly. We know we've got our hands full."
If Dexter hopes to finish off their season with a win they will have to do a good job of getting of their blocks. It will also be important for the defensive line to get outside contain on the speedy backs of Malden.
Dexter will also need to get their own running game going early and often. If they can do that the Junior quarterback D.J. Dowdy will get some opportunities to throw the football down the field to Senior Chase Young and Freshman "up and comer" Ethan Stevens. Stevens is coming off a game last week that saw him catch his first touchdown of his high school career.The Bearcats will play their last regular season game on the road tonight against the Malden Greenwave at 7:00 P.M. Be sure to show your support for these young men as they go up against a tough Malden Greenwave team.
With North American duck numbers at record high levels, you might think waterfowl hunters’ prospects had never been brighter. But memorable seasons require a confluence of duck populations, food, cover, and water. Doreen Mengel, a resource scientist with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), says the 2012 duck season still is a long way from realizing its potential.
Habitat surveys conducted early in October showed significant improvements in natural food and cover at almost half of Missouri’s public wetland areas. In early August, only seven conservation areas (CAs) reported good growth of seed-producing native plants, such as smartweed. By early October, the condition of these “moist-soil” plants was rated as good on 11 CAs, and Ten-Mile Pond CA, in Mississippi County, reported excellent moist-soil vegetation.
“I have been amazed at how well moist-soil vegetation has responded to recent rains, given the drought conditions through late summer,” says Mengel. “That is the good news right now, but floodable crops are still only fair to poor on most areas.”
A bigger concern to Mengel is the supply of water available to flood MDC-managed wetlands.
“There are still concerns about our ability to pump water at some areas,” said Mengel. “Low stream flows could limit the availability of public areas. I haven’t spoken with many people with private wetlands, but my guess is if they do not have a reliable water source, their sites are probably on the dry side, too. Bottom line, we will still need rains, hopefully linked with migration events.”Of all the state-managed wetland areas, Ted Shanks CA in Pike County has fared best this year. In spite of the drought, new levee construction, and some pump issues, the area has good moist-soil habitat and good floodable crops. Water levels were normal in early October, and changes to the area’s refuge and hunted pools should add 10 to 12 hunting spots this year.
Following is a summary of conditions on other MDC-managed wetland areas.
· Coon Island CA – Good moist-soil vegetation and fair crops. Call 573-624-5821 for water-levels.
· Duck Creek CA – Fair moist-soil vegetation and poor crops. Major construction will limit access and flooding capability.
· Otter Slough CA – Good moist-soil vegetation and fair crops. Normal water conditions.
· Ten-Mile Pond CA – Excellent moist-soil vegetation and fair crops. Normal water conditions.
Mengel says conditions could change significantly at any or all these areas with significant rainfall.
“Things look much better today than they did two months ago, and they could be even better in another month or two,” she says. “Missouri’s duck season opens Oct. 27 in the North Zone and runs through Jan. 20 in the South Zone, so there is plenty of time for everything to come together for hunters.”
Mengel said other conservation areas, large reservoirs and rivers provide additional walk-in hunting opportunities.
“At certain times, duck and goose hunting can be very good on Truman Reservoir or the Missouri River. Hunters should not overlook these great resources and include them in their pre-season scouting activities,” says Mengel.
Details of Missouri’s waterfowl hunting seasons are available in the Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2012-2013. The print version is available wherever hunting permits are sold. The same information is available at mdc.mo.gov/node/3616.
This year’s North American Duck Breeding Population Survey estimated total duck numbers at 48.6 million continent-wide. That is a 7-percent increase from last year and 43 percent more than the long-term average (LTA).
The North American population of mallards, the mainstay species for Missouri waterfowl hunters, is estimated at 10.6 million this year. That is up 15 percent from 2011 and 40 percent above the LTA.
Blue-winged teal numbers this year are estimated at 9.2 million. That is similar to last year’s population. It also is 94 percent above the LTA.
Other duck species breeding populations recorded in the 2012 survey include:
· Scaup, 5.2 million, up 21 percent from last year and similar to LTA
· Shoveler, 5 million, similar to 2011 and 111 percent above LTA
· Gadwall, 3.6 million, similar to last year and 96 percent above LTA
· Pintail, 3.5 million, 22 percent below 2011 and 14 percent below LTA
· Green-winged teal, 3.5 million, up 20 percent from 2011 and 74 percent above LTA
· Wigeon, 2.1 million, similar to 2011 and 17 percent below LTA
· Redhead, 1.3 million, similar to 2011 and 89 percent above LTA
· Canvasback, 800,000, similar to 2011 and 33 percent above LTA
Coming to Scooters Nightclub in Poplar Bluff, MO. on October 20th is Cage of Honor's 53rd Event presented by B&L Promotions. This Event will showcase several of the areas best talent in Amateur Mixed Martial Arts, which is sanctioned by The Combat Sports Commission.
Local talent like, Josh Faries(Current Cage of Honor East Heavyweight Champion), Tracy Green(Current AFC 145lb Champion), Brad Lee Wick(Grappler, State Qualified Wrestler) and Fighters from other areas like East Prairie, Blythville AR, Springfield, Cape Girardeau, Fredericktown, MO. and many more will also be on the card that evening.
The newly formed B&L Promotions is owned and operated by Brad Wick from Dexter, MO., who has been working with Boxers and Mixed Martial Artist in southeast Missouri for close to 9 years and has worked with local promotions like the Absolute Fighting Challenge, Prize Fight MMA out of Southaven, MS. and is also the Former Director for the Combat Sports Commission, which is one of the leading Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Sanctioning Groups in the State of Missouri.
This weekends event is an all ages event, with General Admission Tickets starting at $20. The Weigh Ins are Friday Night at Scooters in Poplar Bluff and the Fights are Saturday Evening with the Doors opening at 6pm and Fights starting at 7pm.
If you have never been to one of these Events, you should really try to get out and see this one and also support your local MMA Groups and Fighters, it is proving to be a top notch Event with tons of excitement!!
