Dexter and Kennett play for pride tonight

While both Kennett and Dexter have followed different paths this season, both teams have wound up at the same place, playing for the same thing in the last game....pride.

There will be no post-season playoff games for the winner of tonight's game at Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter. Kennett (6-3) and Dexter (3-6) were both officially eliminated from Class 3, District 1 contention last week. Kennett was embarrassed by New Madrid County Central last week, 64-7, while Dexter tripped, stumbled, fumbled and fell at Perryville, 28-6.

Yet the road to tonight's game led the two teams in very different directions. Kennett got of to it's best start in years winning six straight to open the season, only to drop the last three to Sikeston, Perryville and NMCC.

Dexter on the other hand struggled from the opening game, dropping the first four to Ste. Genevieve, Gosnell, Ark., Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, before rebounding with a 3-game winning streak. Wins against Malden, Charleston and Caruthersville appeared to have the team moving in the right directions, but stiff district competition revealed the earlier weaknesses of the team in loses to NMCC and Perryville.

Both teams started the season with high expectations. Kennett had quarterback Blake Parr returning for his senior season, while Dexter was looking for another stellar effort from junior quarterback Ben Mills. Mills edged out Parr for all-conference honors last season, and when Dexter struggled early, Parr was putting up big numbers as the Indians were running off six straight wins.

Parr leads Mills statistically this season, but quarterback honors this year appear to be heading to New Madrid County Central where Eagles' quarterback Dontre Jenkins is putting together solid numbers while leading his team to a winning season and postseason play.

Offensively, Kennett appears to have the edge in the passing game, while Dexter gets the nod running the ball. Kennett has the top two, and three of the top six receivers in the SEMO area in Jarvis Finley (41 catches, 793 yards, 10 TD's), Jimmie Gooden (25 catches, 500 yards and 6 TD's) and Cameron Conder (20 catches, 388 yards, one TD). Dexter only has one receiver in the top six, junior Ryan Windham with 28 catches for 389 yards and four touchdowns. Bearcat Gary Summers is just outside the top ten with 24 catches for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

One the ground, Kennett's best runner is Tevin Hampton with 100 carries for 422 yards and seven touchdowns. Dexter's rushing attack is led by senior Nick Hessling (139 carries, 593 yards, 7 TD's) and Seth McBride (88 carries, 522 yards, 6 TD's). Hessling, a 100-yard rusher last season, has been hampered by a bad ankle that kept him out of the first two games, and limited his mobility while trying to heel and play at the same time.

Good teams have been able to control the offense of both Kennett and Dexter, but like the better teams have been able to navigate through the teams suspect defenses.

Tonight's game could be a high-scoring shoot-out, but look for the team that steps up defensively to win the "pride" game.

Note: Dexter coach Aaron Pixley has never lost to Kennett since he has been the head coach, supporting an 8-0 record...Tonight's Thursday game date for the season's last regular-season game has been in place for several years now and is to allow teams more time to prepare for the playoffs....One might think that this game mean s nothing, but it is always good to win the last game, no likes to end the season on a loss....A win can also provide the younger players with the motivation to hit the weight room in the off season.