Dexter edges Fredericktown for title

FREDERICKTOWN -- Dexter won its first district title since 1992 on Friday night, edging Fredericktown 15-12 in the Class 3, District 1 championship game.

Matt Burnett, who is nursing an injured knee, did play in the game and was a major factor. He rushed for 97 yards on 22 carries, scoring both Dexter touchdowns.

After a scoreless first quarter, Burnett put the Bearcats on the board with 9:40 left in the second stanza on a six-yard TD run. The PAT failed, making the score 6-0 at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Burnett scored his second touchdown of the game from two yards out. A two-point conversion run failed, making the score 12-0.

After forcing a Fredericktown punt, kicker Tyler Grovenor tacked three more points on for Dexter with a 36-yard field goal to increase the lead to 15-0.

Fredericktown ended the game with 12 unanswered points. Kyle Stephens scored the Blackcats' first touchdown on an 11-yard scamper. The PAT failed, shaving the lead to 15-6. With 1:43 left in the final quarter, quarterback Kyle Tesreau scored on a three-yard TD run. His PAT attempt was blocked, making the score 15-12.

The Blackcats attempted an onside kick, but failed to convert. Dexter bled the clock to zero and held on for the victory.

Behind Burnett, Garrett Williams rushed for 51 yards on 12 carries. Quarterback Preston Clark completed two passes to Willie Dooley for 30 yards.

For Fredericktown, Stephens finished with 149 yards on 22 attempts. Nick McDaniel rushed for 44 yards on 11 carries.

Fredericktown ends its season at 4-6. Dexter (8-2) will travel to Ste. Genevieve on Wednesday night for a sectional matchup at 7 p.m.