Dexter one win away from making playoffs

After a humbling 0-4 start to the season, its hard to imagine that the Dexter Bearcats are one win away from moving on in the MSHSAA Class 3 playoffs.

Dexter will be on the road against Kennett Thursday night and a win would give the Bearcats a 5-5 season, a 2-1 district record and the runner-up spot in District 1. Of course if Perryville were to upset New Madrid County Central by 13 points, the playoff picture gets more complicated.

Dexter, Kennett and Perryville all enter the final district game mathematically still in the running for the number two spot in District 1. Perryville has the toughest road to haul needing a 13-plus win over NMCC and a Kennett win over Dexter. Kennett needs to defeat Dexter by at least eight points coupled with a NMCC win. A win by Dexter and NMCC will put the Bearcats into the playoffs. Even a loss of less than eight points by Dexter and a NMCC win and the Bearcats are in.

The current points standings for the District 1 teams are NMCC + 26, Dexter 0, Perryville -10, and Kennett -16. Ties are broken by head-to-head games.

"We're just trying to win our next one and get back to 5-and-5," Dexter coach Aaron Pixley said Tuesday when asked about the game and the playoff picture. "We know if we win it, we're going to the playoffs."

That will be easier said than done against a Kennett team that will be looking for its first playoff berth in 23 years dating back to 1986. It will be senior night at Metz Cherry Stadium and the Indians know that an eight point win will most likely vault them into the playoff picture.

"We have worked all year for just this -- the playoffs," first-year Kennett football coach Kenneth Riedinger said. "We don't have the record we want (3-6) but hey, we will take what we get. This week is huge for us -- heck it huge for our whole football program."

"I told our kids when I got the job, I came to win games and make the playoffs," Riedinger added. "Now we have a chance to do just that. This week is huge, and one I have played in my mind over and over."

The odds of winning should be in Kennett's favor since they have not beaten the Bearcats since 1999. Pixley, who recently became the all-time winningest football coach at Dexter, has never lost to the Tribe.

But Kennett will poise a stiff challenge for the 'Cats this time around with an aggressive defense and loads of talent at the skill positions on offense.

"They are faster than us," Pixley said of the Indians. "They present us with a lot of major problems on both sides of the ball. From a defensive standpoint, we've really got to run (to the ball) and tackle because they are good athletes and we've got to play pass defense because that quarterback (Adam Grantham) throws the ball well and they've got good receivers.

Grantham has thrown for nine touchdowns and nine interceptions this season while completing 52-of-117 passes for 831 yards. His favorite target is Jimmy Gooden who has 27 catches for 519 yards and five touchdowns. Cameron Wallace has hauled in 11 passes for 142 yards and three scores.

Kennett's strength this season has been defense, where they approach the game a little differently than most teams.

"They play a few different ones (defenses), but they play a gap eight where they are basically putting a guy in every gap," Pixley noted. "Basically, from a defensive standpoint, they want to put as many people on the line of scrimmage to put pressure, be quick and get in the backfield and basically disrupt the play before it gets going. They do a good job on the edge not letting you get outside.

"Then they play man-to-man coverage and make you throw a perfect pass to beat them," he continued. "It's a sound philosophy, you've just got to line up and beat it. We've got to make sure we come ready to play, because they are going to be fired up and they can do some things against us so we have to make sure we stay focused and play all night long."

The game could be a show case for two of the area's top passes as Dexter will answer Grantham with Ben Mills, who has slowly put together another strong season in his third year at the helm of the Bearcats' offense. The senior signal caller has thrown for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

It was a Mills-to-Gary Summers pass in the final minute of play last season that pulled out a 26-21 win over the Indians.

"He is a tough competitor that puts the ball in a spot that give his receivers a chance," Riedinger said. "He will certainly be a challenge."

The top two targets for Mills are Summers and Eric Windham, two seniors who form a formidable receiving duo. Summers has 26 catches for 490 yards and six TDs, while Windham has caught 28 balls for 437 yards and four scores.

"Even in years that they have a great passer, two great receivers along with a good tight end, (Dexter) still will be able to run the ball," Riedinger said. "It is what they do and when it is in your blood it is something you will always do. (Wesley ) McCollough is certainly a great back."

McCollough has been Dexter most consistent runner, while nursing a sore ankle the past two week. The senior has 627 yards on 134 carries this season.

While the playoff picture may seem complicated, a trip to the playoffs is simple for the Bearcats...win.

Kickoff is sent for 7 p. m. Thursday at Kennett.