'Dogs looking to knock off defense-oriented 'Cats

~Dexter (1-1) at Sikeston (0-2)

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs football team seems to have the ingredients to win games. It's just a matter of putting it all together in the same game.

In Week 1, Sikeston's offense surged to one of its best games in the last two years, but the defense struggled. In Week 2, Sikeston's defense stepped to the forefront while the offense went backwards.

The Bulldogs will see if they can put the two together tomorrow night when they host the Dexter Bearcats at SPS Stadium at 7 p.m.

Sikeston head coach Jerry Dement attributes most of the Bulldogs' offensive struggles to a lack of blocking.

"We spent a lot of time this week on blocking," said Dement. "We've got to finish our blocks, stay physical and keep our mistakes to a minimum. We've got to block better, that's the bottom line."

The Bulldogs will host a Dexter team that has played a difficult early-season schedule, defeating Ste. Genevieve in Week 1, 14-0, but losing a close game to Festus last week, 13-10.

"We expect a physical contest -- they're well-coached and well-disciplined," said Dement. "They're about 50/50 run to pass so you have to be on your toes defensively. We have to have our defense rally around and answer the bell like they did last week and we've got to get our offense going stronger."

Despite Sikeston's 0-2 start, Dexter head coach Aaron Pixley thinks the Bulldogs are a team to be reckoned with.

"They are better than they have been in the past," said Pixley. "It seems like they are in better shape and stronger than they have been the past few years and they are playing really well on defense right now.

"They held a very good Charleston team to 13 points and that's saying something. They've struggled on offense a little bit, but so have we. If they quit dropping the ball and execute a little bit their offense can go because they have a lot of good athletes on both sides of the ball."

Dexter brings in its own group of solid athletes, namely strong-armed quarterback Josh Stevens, who has thrown for 280 yards in two games.

Logan Swindle is the team's leading receiver, catching seven passes for 131 yards.

Fullback Anthony Alsup follows up with 70 yards on two receptions. Drew Pixley, the coach's son, has three catches for 50 yards.

Speedy running back Zach Ventura leads the ground game, rushing for 196 yards on 33 carries and a pair of scores.

"We've prepared for (Dexter's offense) all week," said Dement. "Caruthersville and Charleston are predominantly running ballclubs. We didn't stop the run very well the first week and we stopped the pass and then last week we stopped the run and got hurt by a couple pass plays. We've got to be solid in all aspects of the defensive game."

But the Dexter defense is the calling card for the Bearcats.

"They run a 4-4 defense and really come flying to the ball," said Dement. "We expect a tough contest and it should be a high intensity level."

Several new faces will dot the Bulldog starting lineup, namely at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

Junior Michael Payne will get his first start ever at quarterback in place of Chase Ferrell who is still nursing injuries sustained against Charleston last week.

Payne has never taken a varsity snap, so Dement is anxious to see how he will handle the situation against one of the area's strongest defenses.

"He's in there because the opportunity arose when Chase got injured last week in the fourth quarter against Charleston," said Dement. "Chase is going to play, but Mike's going to start us off. He's a pretty decent runner and a pretty decent passer. Sometimes he can make some things happen, but this will be his first varsity game as a starter. He's a sharp kid that's got some savvy so we hope he can make some things happen."

Also getting the starting nod will be junior Gavilan Bland at tailback in place of Byron Davis, who, after a strong performance in Week 1, was bottled up last week against Charleston.

Senior Josh Jackson will be starting in place of senior Joey Williams at split end.

"We play a lot of people so just because a kid doesn't start doesn't mean they won't play equal time," said Dement.

"Josh and Gavilan have earned themselves a start at receiver and tailback and I'm sure they'll get the job done."

Pixley expressed concern in his team's handling of Sikeston's 3-5 defensive alignment.

"We've ran that defense here before, but basically you have three defensive linemen and five linebackers and they are just running blitzes like crazy trying to mess up the flow of the play before it gets started," said Pixley, "and they do a pretty good job of it. If you don't see the blitz and pick it up before you snap the ball, then they are going to tear the play down. That's the hard part about that defense, you just have to pick up a lot of blitzes.

"It's very effective and the people they have blitzing on that defense are very active and they get after it, so you have to be physical and you have to play extremely hard to beat it."

For Dement, he's just hoping his team can put it all together in the same game. With road games at Jackson and Farmington looming the next two weeks, Dement knows a home win against Dexter could springboard the team into the road stretch.

"We're looking for a win and we're going to do what it takes to get there," said Dement. "Our kids are working their tails off. They've had good practice habits and they're trying their best to get better. They've had a good practice attitude, now we're got to get it turned around on the game night."