Dexter, Missouri - One has to respect Dexter's physicality on the field this season. This was the Bearcat's second win over the Bulldogs in nine years and their first shutout over Sikeston since 2007, ten years ago.
The Bearcats are starting to believe in themselves more and more and in their coaching staff. It's been an uphill battle and the fight is not over yet for the 2017 season. The 'Cats are 4 - 1 and have four more games ahead of them and a very tough schedule. They still have to face Caruthersville, Kennett, Malden, and Park Hills.
"Not that they didn't believe it, but now they know they can win the rest of the games on the their schedule. I don't think they needed to prove it to themselves so much. I think they needed to prove it to everyone else and tonight they did that," commented Dexter head football coach Kevin Goltra.
"They were as intense and fired up to play this football game as any football game I have ever been around," continued Goltra. "There was a whole lot of bulletin board material from both sides going around. Our kids took it a little personal."
Goltra said he received a text on Thursday from one of the coaches that some players showed up their house ready to watch film.
"They knew everything that Sikeston was going to run and they knew exactly what they were supposed to do to defend it. When that happens in high school football, good things happen," Goltra said.
It wasn't until the 4th quarter before Dexter crossed into the end zone. Caleb Hoggard took ball in from the 2-yard line for six with 10:34 left on the clock. Then Corbin Strong ran in from the 2-yard for another six points with just 5:47 left in the game. Neither conversion runs were good giving them a lead of 12 - 0.
"I think the last 4 - 5 minutes, our kids wanted it more and we wore them down," finished Goltra. "They are extremely physical. That comes from weight room and confidence, as far as that goes."
Dexter ran 10 plays in the their new wildcat formation for a total of 40 yards to get Hoggard into the end zone. The Bearcats hadn't shown their new formation in the first four games of the year. Goltra's offense has been working on the new formation since the summer and putting Hoggard in at quarterback allowed him to run up the middle with an extra blocker in front.
"We have got to get Hoggard to where he can throw the ball. You saw he had zero interceptions because he had zero attempts," Goltra said while smiling and describing the dilemma. "Teams are going to pick up on that in a hurry. We knew the schedule toughened up after Drexel, so we wanted to get that done right away and we'll expand on it."
Dexter (4-1) finished with 160 yards rushing thanks mostly to Caleb Hoggard and Corbin Strong. Caleb had 107 yards on 38 carries and Corbin finished with 72 yards on 10 carries.
Bo McMullin, Gabe Jackson, Jett Featherston, Corbin Strong, and Braxton Foster led the Bearcats in tackles. They allowed only 94 yards of offense. The Bulldogs earned 30 yards rushing on 24 attempts. In all, the Sikeston offense only averaged about 1.9 yards per play and crossed mid-field only twice.
This game marks the last meeting between the two for at least the next two years after Dexter replaced Sikeston on its schedule with Doniphan. It was definitely a game to remember by players, cheerleaders, fans, and especially the student cheering section. They rushed the field to celebrate with the players.
Final Score Dexter 12, Sikeston 0
Sikeston 0 0 0 0 - 0
Dexter 0 0 0 12 - 12
Fourth Quarter
D - Caleb Hoggard 2 run (run failed), 10:34
D - Corbin Strong 2 run (pass failed), 2:03
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing – Sikeston, Matthew Perry 10-27, Larondus Phillips 5-7-10, BJ Hill 2-7, Don Larry 1-1, Austin Branch 1-(-5). Dexter, Caleb Hoggard 38-84, Corbin Strong 10-72, Ernesto Rivera 1-3, Jett Featherston 1-1, Team 3-(-20).
Passing – Sikeston, Nate Self 12-26-2 64. Dexter, Ben Sindle 2-3-0 18.
Receiving – Sikeston, Bryce Bays 6-40, BJ Hill 2-16, Don Larry 1-5, Austin Branch 1-0, Larondus Phillips 2-3. Dexter, Ernesto Rivera 1-14, Gabe Jackson 1-4.
Dexter (4-1) will host the Caruthersville Tigers on Friday, September 22nd at Charles Bland Stadium. It's Homecoming. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with the Community Tailgate followed by the Homecoming Queen Coronation at 6:30 p.m. Kick-off is 7:00 p.m.
Bolivar, Missouri - It took less than a minute for the Dexter Bearcats to score against the Drexel Bobcats on Saturday afternoon in Bolivar, Missouri. Dexter defeated Drexel 47 - 16.
"I was happy that the guys came to play today, despite the long bus ride and the adversity that comes with that," stated Dexter Head Football Coach Kevin Goltra. "They handled their business like they should and did it with great sportsmanship. I thought our line played well overall and Caleb Hoggard continues to run the ball hard."
Hoggard #16 ran for an impressive 178 yards on 18 carries against the Bobcats. He also had three touchdowns.
"Caleb continues to run hard for us and will play one of the biggest roles if we are to compete with the remainder of our tough schedule, he's a work horse for sure," continued Goltra.
Corbin Strong also finished well with 55 yards on 4 carries and earned a touchdown.
"I was impressed, as our players were with Drexel's physicality," continued Goltra. "I don't feel the score was reflective of how good of a Class 1 team they really are. We were in much of the same boat last year with a lot of inexperienced players playing and it shows in games. We are fortunate to now have good numbers out of the junior and senior classes and it most definitely shows."
Despite the high scoring by the Bearcats, Drexel finished with 13 first downs compared to Dexter's eight first downs. The Cats were able to capitalize on big plays making it difficult for the Bobcats to hold them.
Dexter scored three touchdowns in the first quarter. Caleb Hoggard carried for 36 yards on the first score. Quarterback Ben Sindle passed to Gabe Jackson eight yards from the goal line to score the second touchdown. The third touchdown came from an interception caught by Nate Gargas running 71 yards to lead Drexel 20 - 0.
Dexter scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. The first by Caleb Hoggard as he carried in from the 6 yard line. Then with just 5:01 left in the first half he ran in from the 44 yard line for Dexter's 5 touchdown of the day.
Corbin Strong held the only touchdown in the third quarter for either team carrying the ball 46 yards to put six more points on the scoreboard.
During the fourth quarter Drexel scored two touchdowns. Ethan Irvin carried the ball 14 yards and Aaron Woods carried the ball 5 yards. Both points after were good.
Trevor McDonald grabbed the ball after the kick-off from Drexel's first touchdown and ran the ball 75 yards to score. Eric Hahn kicked five excellent point after kicks throughout the game.
Jett Featherston, #44 had 15 total tackles and Corbin Strong #31 had 10 total tackles. Bo McMullin who did not play during the second half (resting his shoulder) had 9 total tackles. Zach Cartwright #1 had 8 total tackles and Mason Keena #32 had 7 total tackles.
Dexter (3-1) is now placed 3rd in their District following Park Hills Central in first place and Kennett in second place. They face the Sikeston Bulldogs (3-1) on Friday night at Charles Bland Stadium. Kick-off at 7:00 p.m.
Prior to the game, Scott Kruse with18ForeLife presented the Drexel football coach with a Love Offering for Wyatt Deel. The Bobcat high school athlete is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and was unable to attend the football game on Saturday.
"Nothing is better than the 18ForeLife presentation. It is so important to pause sometimes and remember that a football game is just a game. it's there to teach life skills to young men and to develop a special fraternity that can support and lift one another up when the time comes. That moment was today and I am so humble to be a part of this team and community."
Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie baseball team hosted the Neelyville Tigers on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. The Mules won over the Tigers 10 - 3 to improve their fall baseball record to 11 - 1.
Nate Dillinger earned the win on the mound pitching 7 innings. He allowed only 3 runs, 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out seven.
Wyatt Barnett led a 10-hit attack with 3 hits including a double and a two run homer!
Bernie will host Puxico on Thursday, September 14th at 4:30 p.m.
Arcadia Valley, Missouri - Both the T.S. Hill Middle School and High School Cross Country teams traveled to Arcadia Valley on Saturday, September 9, 2017.
Gabby Brown from T.S. Hill Middle School placed 2nd at the Arcadia Valley Cross Country Meet with a time of 9:26 which also set a new school record in Cross Country.
At the Dexter High School, four athletes earned medals.
Senior Emily Ladd placed 4th with a time of 21:07.
Senior Dawson Kasting placed 18th with a time of 18:31.
Margo Nea, a sophomore, also placed 18th with a time of 23:02.
Lucas Goodrich placed 2nd in the JV portion with a time of 18:36.
Shown in the photo are Emily Ladd, Dawson Kasting, Margo Nea, and Gabby Brown Not available for photo was Lucas Goodrich.
