Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Kennett, Missouri – The Dexter Bearcats traveled to Kennett Friday night to earn their first victory of the season. It was bittersweet for the Bearcats as they faced their former coach Aaron Pixley. Despite their past relationship, the Bearcats were hungry for a win and nothing was going to stop their desire to beat Kennett.
Dexter’s offense moved the ball well and within minutes, quarterback Peyton Pollock #12 carried the ball into the end zone and scored the first touchdown of the evening. Unfortunately the point after was no good as the Indians were able to block the ball from entering the uprights. Dexter 6, Kennet 0.
“Peyton did an excellent job tonight,” commented Dexter Bearcat's head football coach Justin Peden. “ He is starting to relax and get things flowing a little better. I am so proud of his development up to this point.”
That’s all the momentum the Bearcats needed and they were well on their way to a victory, scoring two more touchdowns and jumping out to a 20-0 lead before the Indians could connect with one of their own.
With just 21 seconds left in the first quarter, Pollock was able to find Austin Aldridge in the end zone and added 6 more points to the board. MaKayla Waldern, the only female player for the Bearcats, kicked the extra point lifting the Bearcats to a 13-0 lead.
Another Bearcat touchdown with a little over five minutes left before half time, Pollock handed the ball to Dylan Bazarian who ran up the middle for a 39-yard touchdown. Waldner’s kick after was good boosting Dexter to a 20-0 lead.
The Indians wanted a touchdown more than anything before heading off to the locker room. The Bearcats tried their best to hold them off, but with just one minute left on the clock, the Indians scored a touchdown earning them a spot on the scoreboard.
After a well-motivated chat by Dexter’s coaches in the locker room at half time, the Bearcats wasted no time putting 7 more points on the board. Carson Dean ran the ball 20 yards for another Bearcat touchdown. Waldner’s extra point was good. Bearcats 27- Indians 7.
“Dean Carson had a great game for us. He is kind of a slasher at the running back position, which suits our offense.” Peden stated. “Dylan Bazarian had a big game as well. If not for a couple of penalties we would have ahd a 200 and a 100 yard rusher.”
With so many injured many of the Bearcats were playing offensively and defensively making it for a long night. They were getting tired by the fourth quarter, but they held on with tremendous effort and pride.
Ethan Steven led the Bearcats with the most tackles knocking down 6 opponents along with D.J. Dowdy who tackled 5 Indians. Stevens also led the Bearcats offensively receiving 3 passes for 24 yards. Dowdy earned a spot on the stats catching the longest pass of the night, 28 yards as well as the longest punt return of 12 yards against the Indians.
Carson Dean netted 152 yards rushing averaging 6.1 yards per carry. His longest run was 31 yards. Peyton Pollock threw for 102 yards on 8 completions.
MaKayla Waldner was good with three of her four extra point kicks.
Kennett was able to score one more time with under a minute left on the clock, but the Bearcats held on and rant he clock down earning them a much needed win. Final Score Dexter 27 – Kennett 15.
Coach Justin Peden was pretty excited with his first win at Dexter. “I am so proud of these players!" exclaimed Peden. “A lot of teams would have folded after the start and we have had and along with all the adversity we have been through. I respect the heck out of these players!”
“Our line played by far the best game of the year. We were able to move the ball because they were getting a push up front,” continued Peden. Those guys have received a lot of criticism and they deserve a little praise in this situation!”
“Overall I am just so proud! It feels really good to get my first win her in Dexter. I hope this is the first of many!” Coach Peden went on to say that he considers each of the players like family and that he is there for each and every one of them!”
Congratulations Bearcats on the great win!
Dexter (1-4) will host New Madrid County Central on Friday, October 4th. It’s Homecoming for the Bearcats with coronation of the Homecoming Queen at 6:30 p.m. Game begins at 7:00 p.m. and don’t forget the Regional Healthcare Foundation’s first Tailgate Party with all the great food, Kid’s Fun Zone, music and more starting at 4:00 p.m. Stick around after the game for a 5th Quarter street festival with Flashback entertainment!
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Bearcats served three losses to the Bell City Cubs last night at the Bearcat Event Center. There was no JV match. Dexter dominated the Cubs 25-10, 25-11, 25-5 improving their record to 17-3 and 5-0 in the SCAA play.
Jessica Lindsey was on top of her game Thursday evening serving 29 times and tallying six aces. Delaney Pullen had three aces followed by Julia Hahn with two. There was a total of 39 kills against the Cubs. Shyann Jines and Lindsey both tallied nine kills along with Kendall Adams and Delaney Pullen who calculated five each.
It was an amazing evening for the Lady Bearcats and a great victory.
Dexter will be back in action on Monday when they host defending SCAA champs the Advance Hornets. Game time is 6:00 p.m.
The ShowMe Times congratulates all the girls on their successful victory. Coaches may email stats and game results for any game in Stoddard County to news@showmetimes.com and we will spotlight all our incredible students.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri - The Lady 'Cats tennis team were on Monday evening as they beat the Farmington Lady Knightettes 8 - 1. The Bearcats are now 8-2 on the season and doing quite well!
The JV team won their match as welll 5- 4. Both will be back in action Tuesday afternoon when they host Notre Dame High School.
Varsity Singles:
No. 1 - Baylee Cooper (D) defeated Amanda Brady 8-6
No. 2 - MaKayla Waldner (D) defeated Anna Slinkard 8-1
No. 3 - Kendra Shae Stevenson (D) defeated Kayle Nephew 8-1
No. 4 - Erica Morgan (D) defeated Joannie Leach 8-2
No. 5 - Taylor Owens (D) defeated Ashlynn McPhail 9-7
No. 6 - Mary Miller (D) defeated Kennedy Hartwig 8-5
Varsity Doubles:
No. 1 - Brady-Slinkard defeated Cooper-Stevenson (D) 8-3
No. 2 - Waldner-Morgan (D) defeated Nephew-Leach 8-3
No. 3 - Owens-Miller (D) defeated McPhail-Hartwig 8-4
JV Singles:
No. 1 - Madison Smith defeated Alexis May (D) 7-6 (7-4)
No. 2 - Kalee Howard (D) defeated Grayson Cummins 6-4
No. 3 - Reagan Miller (D) defeated Amatista Pearson 4-1
No. 4 - Destiny Robertson (D) tied Hadley Marie Twidwell 3-3
No. 5 - Briana Crocker defeated Brittany Gibson (D) 6-4
No. 6 - Alicia Boyer defeated Kirsten Teffertiller (D) 6-2
No. 7 - Jade Marie Hall defeated Courtney McCulley (D) 6-2
JV Doubles:
No. 1 - Howard-May (D) defeated Smith-Cummins 6-3
No. 2 - Robertson-Miller (D) defeated Pearson-Twidwell 6-3
No. 3 - Gibson-Joy (D) defeated Crocker-Boyer 6-2
Article Submitted by
SMT Reader and MMA Fan
Faries, Jones and Morlan Collect Win at Cage of Honor 57
Poplar Bluff, Missouri – Much like the gladiators of the past, the Dark Horse MMA team is a dedicated group of athletes that quietly go about their training and conditioning for one purpose – To Win!! This past Saturday night, the Bluff City Eagles Club hosted the Cage of Honor 57.
The Dark Horse MMA team is a highly skilled group of young men and women dedicated their sport. With a large group of supporters from their training gym at Fitness Connection in Downtown Dexter, the fighters vigorously train in preparation of the Cage of Honor matches. Though extremely serious, the dedication of the group is highlighted by the passion of the athletes as they enter the ring.
The team proudly delivered a solid group of fighters at Saturday’s competition in Poplar Bluff. Dark Horse MMA entered four divisions capturing three wins on the night.
Defending Cage of Honor Heavyweight Champion, Josh "The Hulk" Faries laid his belt on the line against a 6’4” opponent from the Jackson area. Josh fought hard and was able to maintain his Cage of Honor Heavyweight title.
“It was a good match and the guy I fought could really throw some punches,” noted “The Hulk”. “He had a real reach advantage on me, but I stayed after him and was able to get the win.”
Both Faries and his opponent were undefeated going into Saturday's match. Afterward, Josh was challenged to a rematch for the title which he has granted for his next match.
In other action, Dark Horse MMA fighter Chris Jones won his match by KO/stoppage in the first round at the bell and Doug Morlan won by KO at the bell in the first round. A fan favorite, Frank "The Tank" Cortez, lost by decision after three hard fought rounds that offered fans an awesome show of performance, skill, and sportsmanship.
In the Roman Empire, gladiators were armed combatants who entertained audiences in violent confrontational events. They would risk social standing as well as their own lives in the arena offering spectators a bitter battle. They were both celebrated and their value as entertainers was commemorated within the culture.
MMA (or Mixed Martial Arts) style contests existed as an ancient Olympic combat sport, known as Pankration, in the Classic Greek era. First documented in the late 1800’s in the United States, MMA has evolved over the years as promoters adopted additional rules aimed at increasing safety for competitors and to promote mainstream acceptance of the sport.
Mixed martial arts is a full contact combat sport that engages both the sport of wrestling combined with the boxing. MMA fighters will be found both on the ground as well as standing during a match. The competitors are highly trained and skilled athletes willing to enter the ring facing certain physical punishments from the opponent.
Kevin Palmer and Joe Davis started the Dark Horse MMA team in July of 2012. Cortez, Faries and Morlan were all original members of the team and continue to this day. Managers, Tina Brown, Amber Anderson and Jamey Brown, assist the team.
“You won’t find our team members doing a lot of trash talking at an event or in public,” noted Coach Palmer. “These guys are very respectful of each other and the sport of MMA. I’m very proud of them.”
“These guys work as a team and practice as a team. They work as one unit,” added Joe Davis, assistant coach of the team. “They work hard and under no circumstances give up or quit, no matter how hard things get in the ring.”
Dark Horse MMA is excited about its future. The team is currently working on a new website as well as updates to their Facebook page. Fans and friends are encouraged to “Like” their page on Facebook. They will be adding information on upcoming events as well as profiles of the Dark Horse MMA fighers, coaches, and staff.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Lady ‘Cats varsity volleyball team is on a winning streak! They won Monday night at home against the Woodland Cardinals 25-15 and 25-19.
Jessica Lindsey led the Bearcats with 11 kills. Delaney Pullen added five along with Shyann Jines who tallied four more. Ashley Brown had team-high six digs for Dexter.
“We made some great defensive plays tonight and had some good digs, but we played a little out of rhythm and lacked communication on the floor,” stated Dexter Coach Carmen Morgan.
Shyann Jines had eight assists against the Cardinals, followed by Julia Hahn with seven and Alyssa Spear with six.
The Dexter JV also beat Woodland 25-23, 25-16. They are currently 11-1-1.
Dexter now 15-3 improves to 3-0 in the SAA regular season. The DHS ‘Cats return Tuesday evening against conference rival Richland Rebels.
Way to go Lady ‘Cats on your continuous wins!
