Playoffs on the line for Dexter at Perryville Friday night

If you thought last weeks game with New Madrid County Central was big, then Friday night's clash with Perryville is huge.

While last week's 34-14 loss at home to NMCC dealt a blow to Dexter's playoff hopes, the Bearcats still control their own fate when it comes to postseason play.

In year's past, one district loss and a team was virtually eliminated from playoff contention.

Not so this year.

This season two teams will emerge from each district as either a one or two seed, with the district winner playing the runner up in its counterpart district, and vise-a-versa for that district's champ.

So while the Bearcats are behind the eight ball, it's not the end of the season yet.

"As far as the playoffs go, two teams come out," Dexter coach Aaron Pixley said. "It is going to be a one and a two seed. Basically, us, Perryville and Kennett have to win the next two games. Who ever wins the next two games will go on to the playoffs."

Perryville, 2-6 overall, stands at 1-0 in Class 3, District 1 play after defeating Kennett (6-2, 0-1), 31-12, on the road last week. Perryville used a ball control offense that churned out 330 yards on the ground, 240 by runningback Josh Perreault. The Pirates strategy of "four yards and a cloud of dust," according to Perryville coach Jim May, worked to near perfection against Kennett, keeping the Indians' high-powered offense standing on the side line.

There is no reason to believe that the Pirates won't repeat that strategy against the Bearcats on their home field this Friday

"Perryville is a big strong team," Pixley said, echoing the thoughts of Kennett's coach who called the Pirates offensive line 'monsters.' " They've got good running backs and a couple of good receivers and the quarterback (Garrett Flentge) is a young kid, a sophomore, that throws the ball pretty good for a young guy.

"Both sides of the ball they are big up front, and Perryville is always that," Pixley continued. "It's just the way they're built and they play hard and they play hard the whole game. It's like I told the kids week five or six weeks ago, every game from here on out is more important than the last one. And it's true. So we're going to have to play well, we know it. We are going to have to get physical because that is what they are going to try and do to us. Hopefully we tackle well on defense. We definitely have to get off (the ball) better on the offense line this week, as compared to last week. We have to get some positive plays on offense.

The challenge facing the Bearcats this week will be different that the past couple of weeks, but not easier. Against a team like New Madrid, speed was been a major concern. And while Perryville is by no means a slow team, they rely more on a ball-control power game than a big-play, quick-striking offense.

"They have some fast kids, but nothing like we've seen the past couple of weeks," Pixley commented. "But they'll take it right at you and they'll spread you out. We preparing for both things. But just like I said, when they get in their physical sets, double tight ends and three backs, they are going to bring it right at you and they'll play action off it. So we're going to have to be super physical and get down hill and tackle well on defense."

So the task at hand for the Bearcats is as clear as the black and white type of this newspaper. Win the next two and you're in.

"We've got to play with confidence, we've got to play with courage and we have to be physical on both sides of the ball," Pixley stated. "And if we're not that way, it is going to be a long night."

Class 3, District 1 Standings

Overall District

New Madrid 6-2 1-0

Perryville 2-6 1-0

Dexter 3-5 0-1

Kennett 6-2 0-1

Friday's schedule

Dexter at Perryville

Kennett at New Madrid