Plot thickens for playoff positions

The plot thickens in the race to make the MSHSAA playoffs this Friday when the Dexter Bearcats host the Perryville Pirates.

Kickoff for the Class 3, District 1 game at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter is set for 7 o'clock.

New Madrid County Central (5-3, 1-0) is still the team to beat in District 1 and the Eagles should lock up a spot when they tangle with Kennett (3-5, 0-1) this week. But with two teams advancing from each district, the race for the second spot could get dicey

The complicated scenario goes something like this, but it looks like a team with two district wins is in.

Perryville (1-7, 1-0) can all but lock up a spot in the playoffs with a win over Dexter (3-5, 0-1) after the Pirates defeated Kennett last week in district play. A Dexter win over Perryville would set the Bearcats up for spot in the playoffs with a season-ending win over Kennett. Perryville could still get in with a season-ending win at home against NMCC.

A loss by Dexter and Kennett would all but eliminate those two teams from the playoffs with two losses and would set up a season-ending game between Perryville and New Madrid to determine which team would enter the playoffs as the No. 1 team from District 1. The incentive there is really to finish first and avoid undefeated Potosi, the top ranked team in Class 3, in the first round.

Of course, Kennett could upset New Madrid, then defeat Dexter to make the playoffs. New Madrid could drop its next two and Dexter win out to make the playoffs. What is more likely though is that three teams (Dexter, Kennett, Perryville) could end up with 1-2 records and the second-place playoff spot would be decided by the points system.

Clear as mud? We'll know more after Friday.

On paper the game between Dexter and Perryville appears to be pretty even. Perryville, which made a late push last year to make the playoffs, got its first win of the season last week against Kennett. But, like Dexter, the Pirates have played some tough opponents that include Potosi, Park Hills Central and Ste. Genevieve.

Perryville and Dexter have also had trouble keeping the other team out of the end zone, and putting points on the board. Last week's 9-6 win over Kennett was the most points the Pirates have scored this season. Perryville has scored a total of 36 points in eight games, having been shutout three times. Dexter has been shutout twice, but has put 83 points on the board in seven games (one of Dexter's wins was by forfeit against Charleston).

Defensively both teams have given up lots of yardage and a huge number of points. Dexter is allowing 34.5 points per game, while Perryville is close behind at 31 ppg.

Perryville went to the wishbone offense last week against Kennett, and while the team only manage 139 yards of total offense (Kennett had 208), it was enough to earn the win.

Perryville's main offensive weapon appears to be running back Garrett Flentge, who had 66 yards on 15 carries last week against Kennett, but does a a 100-yard game to his credit this season.

This game could be a defensive battle or an offensive shoot-out, but a Dexter win would keep the Bearcarts' playoff hopes alive.