Dexter, Missouri - It was Senior Night at Charles Bland Stadium Friday night and the Bearcats were ready for a battle on the field.  They came very close to having the game of the year, but the Green Wave of Malden would not give up.

With just 5:51 left on the clock in the first quarter Peyton Pollock #12 was able to find his receiver D.J. Dowdy #4 for an 89 yard touchdown.  The crowd went wild with cheers fort he Bearcats.  It was cold, but fans were cheering in the stands for their favorite football team.  Their two point conversion was unsuccessful, but still giving the Bearcats a 6-0 1st quarter lead.  Dexter continued to look great during the second quarter scoring three more touchdowns.

"The first half was great!  We were impressive," stated head football coach Justin Peden.  "The second half, not so much.  Malden came to play tonight and did not give up."

Just midway through the 2nd quarter Pollock once again found his receiver Austin Aldridge for a 44 yard touchdown.  Jason Jarrell's kick was good.  It was a 13 - 0 Dexter football game!

A little bit a of a set back when Dresmond Robinson passed to Shaeen Perkins three minutes later for Malden's first touchdown of the game.  A two point conversion to Jeremy Jones game Malden 8 points on the board.  Dexter 13 - Malden 8.

The 'Cats jumped right back in the game and answered with another drive of their own and put seven more points on the board with Pollock passing to Dowdy for a 68 yard touchdown and Jason Jarrell's extra point kick.  Less than four minutes to the half Dexter 20 - Malden 8.

Then with just 8 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, Pollock found Ethan Stevens #7 and completed a 19 yard touchdown.  Jason Jarrell's kick was good once again.  This gave Dexter a 27 - 8 lead over the Green Wave of Malden.  Things were really beginning to heat up on this cold night of high school football.

The DHS Marching band held their last home marching field performance to the tunes of The Beatles.  It was an excellent performance and congratulations to them on their trophies they won at the Charleston Marching Band Competition earlier in the month.  Photos of the band can be viewed on our Facebook page by clicking here and here.

It wasn't over yet, Malden came out of the locker room ready to strike down the Bearcats and they did.  Dremond Robinson threw a pass to Edwin Hale just six minutes into the 3rd quarter scoring and completing the two point conversion on the next play.  Dexter 27 - Malden 16.


The Bearcats huge lead in the first half was slowly slipping away.  Just inside the 4th quarter, Shaeen Perkins caught a 21 yard touchdown pass from Robinson and completed yet another Malden touchdown.  Fortunately for the Bearcats they were unable to obtain the extra point and it was a Dexter 27 - Malden 22.

Dexter had many more chances to retake the lead, but with a fumble and an interception along with their last four drives ending in turnovers they were not able to capitalize on any drives.  Malden quarterback Dremond Robinson's final points of the game were him running up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown.  Gunner Jones' pass to Nick Thompson for an extra 2 sealed the deal for evening.  Final score Dexter 27 - Malden 30.

The scoreboard did not reflect the efforts of the Bearcats.  Peyton Pollock had one of his best nights as a Bearcat throwing for 361 yards, four touchdowns and added another 67 yards rushing to his stats.

Dexter had more first downs, more net yards rushing, more net yards passing, more passes completed, and more total net yards, but fumbles and interceptions also made the stat sheet.

Coach Justin Peden is always upbeat and optimistic about his "family", "Not a lot of folks picked us to win this game, but I think in that first half we proved we are a good football team.  We are a quality football team.  If we put it all together and play all four quarters, we can can win."

D.J. Dowdy led the Bearcats receiving with 190 yards on seven catches.  Austin Aldridge, despite his flip in the air hit, added another 72 yards on three catches.  Ethan Steven and Jonathan Foels also added 50 and 35 yards respectfully. 

Jonathan Foels led the team in tackles, having 12 total including 3 assists.  Dylan Bazarian also had 12 total tackles including 7 assists.  Trevor Waldner and Noah Kronk each had 9 total tackles along with Nathan Cox with 8 tackles

The Bearcats will be back in action for the first round of district play when they travel to Potosi, Missouri.  "Potosi is a solid football team," stated Peden.  "They're the #3 seed and we have just got to come out and have a good week of practice.  This loss stung and it hurt, but we will put it behind us and move on."

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Rushing

Dexter: Peyton Pollock 12-67, Carson Dean 11-40, Dylan Bazarian 4-26, Ethan Stevens 1-2.

Malden: Dremond Robinson 30-134, Nick Thompson 1-7, Chapin Riley 2-4, Jeremy Jones 1-3.

Passing

Dexter: Peyton Pollock 18-31-4 361.

Malden: Chapin Riley 16-22-1 216.

Receiving

Dexter: D.J. Dowdy 7-190, Ethan Stevens 4-50, Austin Aldridge 3-72, Jon Foels 3-35, Austin Chesser 1-14.

Malden: Shaeen Perkins 7-62, Edwin Hale 4-104, Jeremy Jones 3-45, Dremond Robinson 2-3.