SMT Writer
Peden and Bearcat Coaching Staff Proud of First Summer Contact Camp Performance
The hard winter has brought about turf problems throughout the area. Both Dexter and Sikeston have faced "winter kill" on their Bermuda fields, and both facilities are under rehabilitation of the turf.
Originally scheduled to be hosted by the Sikeston Bulldogs, today's contact camp was moved to the artificial turf field at Cape Central High School. Participating high school teams included the host school, Cape Central Tigers, the Sikeston Bulldogs, the Kennett Indians, and the Dexter Bearcats.
As summer storms rolled through the area, the action was delayed for an hour during the first series of play due to lightening activity in the area. However, as the thunderstorms moved east, all four teams went back to the field to resume play.Prior to the delay, the Bearcats delivered a scoring drive against the Cape Tigers when quarterback Peyton Pollock delivered a perfect fading pass to the corner of the endzone to his wide receiver, Austin Aldridge. Both Pollock and Aldridge are returning seniors this year and bring a lot of excitement to the offensive set.
"It was our last play on the one yard line," recalled Senior Austin Aldridge. "I faked to the inside then went to the pylon and Peyton (Pollock) threw a perfect ball. I caught the ball and was able drag one foot for the touchdown."
Upon returning to the field, the Tigers proved to be a challenge for the Bearcat defense and were also able to find the endzone. The Bearcats ended the series of downs tied with Cape 1 to 1.
As Kennett and Dexter squared off, both teams were able to produce offense. Kennett was able to break two big plays, but the 'Cats answered with their own successful drives. The Indians and Bearcat series also ended tied 2 scores to 2 scores.
"We were very solid defensively. Except for a couple of big plays, we shut down our opponents. When you have eleven guys swarming to the ball you will be successful," said second year Head Coach Justin Peden.
The positive movement of the football by the offensive unit of the Bearcats was considered a big win for the day. The 'Cats continued that offensive performance against the Sikeston Bulldogs with 4 successful scoring drives. The Bearcat defense rose to the occasion and denied the 'Dogs from scoring during the series.
"Considering we are in June," commented Coach Peden, "we are cautiously optimistic about our kids' performance today."
"Offensively we were a little rusty, but that is to be expected at this point in the summer. The passing game clicked when it needed to and our running game was solid," noted Peden. "I'm really proud of our offensive line. They did very well and opened some huge holes."
The 'Cats faced an unfortunate injury to Junior standout, Ethan Stevens. Ethan took a helmet to his back and was assisted off the field by Dr. Bobby Jibben. Stevens is considered a playmaker and true athlete on both sides of the football. He is hopeful to return but was feeling the impact of the hit after the game and will seek further treatment."Overall I was really pleased with the effort level these young men put out there," Peden continued. "They gave everything they had and played as a family, which makes me proud."
The Bearcat specialty players will travel to Southeast Missouri State University this Saturday to participate in 7 on 7 contest. This event is an offensive and defensive match up between the specialty positions on the team.
"I am excited to see how the rest of the summer unfolds," concluded Coach Peden. " We still have a lot of work to do, but if this group of guys stays in the weight room and works together, we can be a quality football team that will make Dexter proud."
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Dexter, Missouri - The second edition of the Rib City Shootout volleyball contest will be held Thursday, June 26th and Friday, June 27th. Varsity action will begin at 8:30 a.m. with three Stoddard County teams competing. Bernie will play Advance at the Middle School and Dexter will play Poplar Bluff at the Bearcat Event Center on court #1.
Dexter will then compete against Perryville at 10:00 a.m. on court #2 of the Bearcat Event Center.
One of the biggest rivalry games with Bernie playing Dexter will be at 11:30 a.m. on court #3 of the Bearcat Event Center.
Please note the schedule runs extremely fast and many games will start before their scheduled times. Be prepared to come early. Dexter takes the court at 3:45 in the championship bracket playing Clearwater.
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Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter varsity boys basketball program completed their two day event with a record of 5-3, winning their last four games and won the Rib City Shootout. They defeated Puxico 57-30.
“We are all still learning right now, but I am very proud of their effort,” stated head basketball coach Josh Dowdy. “I talked to them before the games about if we can control our effort, attitude, and be coachable good things are going to happen for this basketball team.”
And good things do come to those who have courage and prepare hard. The Dexter varsity team looked awesome on the court and without two of their key players, Peyton Pollock and Noah Kronk, who were attending Boys State in Warrensburg, Missouri.
“I think over the course of eight games we grew up in that department a little bit. That’s kind of what the summer and these Rib City shootouts are all about. I am glad to have the opportunity to play in it and the kids were thankful to be a part of the shootout as well.”
Dexter played well against their first opponent in the shootout, the Hayti Indians; however Hayti was able to defeat the Bearcats 36-34. Dexter came back with a very impressive win over Rich Hill 57 – 38. (Photos are available on the ShowMe Times Facebook page). Then later in the afternoon on Thursday Dexter allowed Doniphan to edge by 47-43.
On Friday Dexter lost to Winona early on 39-33 in a very exciting game, but then bounced back to defeat Crittendon County, Kentucky 43-41. Once Dexter got in the groove they dominated the court Friday afternoon defeated Bloomfield 54 – 39 in quarterfinal action. They faced Winona once again and defeated them 58-40 in the semifinal contest.
In the championship game Dexter and Puxico battled it out with the Bearcats coming out on top by 27 points! Way to go Dexter!!
“We played man Thursday and Friday,” commented Dowdy. “These kids haven’t played man their entire lives. I told Coach McGowan and Coach Williams ‘we are not playing man on Friday afternoon.’ We got back to some things they are familiar with, but I do think going over those man-to-man principles definitely helped our zone out.”
“We kept battling,” Dowdy added. “They got tired on me in the Puxico game, but they went out the second half and put it on them. I am really proud of their performance.”
Dexter has a great opportunity this season to win a few tournaments and have a great year. With a new head coach at the helm and two new assistant coaches there is no limit to the possibilities of what kind of ball they can play.
“This is just the start. I am glad they are excited, but I told them ‘basketball is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.’ And that’s kind of what we are living by right now,” stated Dexter’s new head basketball Coach Dowdy.
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Jackson, Tennessee - It was another successful weekend for the Southeast Rippers AAA 13U baseball team. The team participated in the Reggie's BBQ June Thunder tournament in Jackson, TN, on June 13-15.
During pool play, the Rippers went 2-1, falling only to the Mid-State Muddogs out of Murfreesboro, TN. In elimination play, the Rippers first met with The Naturals (Martin, TN), defeating the team 7-3. In the championship match-up, the Rippers were granted a second chance with the Muddogs. In a 10-inning, back-and-forth game, the Rippers came out on top, winning 9-8.
The Rippers advance to 27-5 for the season and will be playing in the USSSA State Tournament in O'Fallon on June 19-22.
The Southeast Rippers is based out of Benton, MO, and is coached by Danny Dumey and Darrell Dannenmueller.
Dalton Hobgood (pictured in the middle row, second from the right) is an incoming freshman at Bernie High School.
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Bernie, Missouri – The spring baseball rankings from the 2014 high school baseball season have been released with Bernie making the top 10 list in the state of Missouri in Class 2.
The Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association provides the rankings.
Class 2
1. Valle
2. Hartville
3. Linn -
4. Archie
5. East Carter
6. Crane
7. Canton
8. West Platte
9. Bernie
10. Belle
Others receiving votes: Harrisburg, Skylline, Portageville, Spokane, Concordia, Elsberry
