Mules at Dexter

The legend of Poplar Bluff's 1990 undefeated season starts with a Week 1 win at Dexter when the Mules snapped a five-game losing streak to the Bearcats with a 26-0 win.

With the Mules leading 6-0, they were forced to punt on their first possession of the second half from their own 8-yard line faced with a fourth-and-16. Instead, quarterback-punter Shane Kearbey surprised everybody -- including his coach -- with a pass to Austin Tinsley, who caught the ball at his own 40 and beat the Dexter defense for a 92-yard touchdown.

"I saw Austin out there with only one guy and decided to go for it," Kearbey said in the story that ran in the DAR at the time. "I guess I shouldn't have run that play. I knew coach would kill me if it didn't work."

Poplar Bluff coach Paul Webber said, "We had a miscommunication on the play and fortunately it turned out good for us."

On the next snap, Dexter fumbled when Mules linebacker Michael Brown delivered a hit on an option play. Jason Dowd returned the fumble 36 yards for the touchdown and on the next possession, the Mules intercepted a pass to set up a short three-play drive that ended with Kearbey's 35-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Graham.

The Mules went on to finish 11-1, losing to Parkway Central in the state quarterfinals.

Kearbey was a senior that year and is now Poplar Bluff's head coach in his first year facing the Bearcats for the first time tonight in Dexter.

As starting quarterback, Kearbey was 1-2 against Dexter. He threw four interceptions and was 2-for-13 for 9 yards passing his junior year in a 35-6 loss.

As a sophomore, Kearbey was 3-for-17 with 55 yards passing and two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown in a 24-14 loss at Dexter. The leading rusher for the Bearcats that night with 88 yards and a touchdown was senior Arlen Pixley, now head coach at New Madrid County Central.

When I asked Kearbey about his early struggles as a young quarterback he said that wasn't even his worst game. He recalled a trip to Springfield Kickapoo when two of his passes were picked off for scores and a pitch was returned for another touchdown.

Kearbey was the first Mules quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards in a season and finished his career as Poplar Bluff's all-time passing leader.

I mention this because Poplar Bluff's current quarterback Todd Bullington was intercepted three times last week in a loss to Hannibal as the Mules fell to 1-2.

Sometimes to reach the top, you've got to start at the bottom and learn from your mistakes. With some injuries problems and a tough early-season schedule the Mules will get better under Kearbey.

KEY MATCHUP Can the Dexter defense plug the holes created by Poplar Bluff's offensive line and keep Zach Ferguson from gaining 100 or more yards for the second straight game. Last year, the Mules ran for 330 yards and held Dexter to just 28 yards rushing in a 42-7 Poplar Bluff win.

FEELING BETTER: The Mules will still be without a pair of two-way starters in Aaron Ellis (knee) and Colby Geringer (knee). Dylan Janes will be back to full strength this week after playing some Saturday after suffering a chest injury at Union. Ethan Hollins also returned last week, recovering a fumble and making two tackles for losses. Josh Freeman also returned from an injury and intercepted his first career pass.

WHO'S NO. 29? That was Eric Hicks picking up his first career sack Saturday against Hannibal. Hicks, who is listed as No. 47, had his home jersey torn in the JV game and will wear 29 at home.

DEFENSE Poplar Bluff's D was led in tackling by Caleb Cononver in Saturday's game. The senior had 14 in all including five solo stops. Eljie Johnson picked up his first career sack while Austin Williams forced his second fumble of the season. Hannibal converted just 2-of-11 third downs and was 1-of-3 going for it on fourth down. The Mules also made a goal-line stand, forcing a field goal after the Pirates took over on Poplar Bluff's 9-yard line.

JV MULES: Poplar Bluff lost 21-13 at Farmington on Monday night, falling to 1-1 on the season. The Mules trailed 21-0 and were led by Pete Bryant's 63 yards rushing. Zac McAnulty was 6-for-20 passing for 72 yards hitting Bryant, Storm McClure and Nick Shrum twice each. McAnulty scored on a 3-yard run and Bryant added a 41-yard touchdown run. On defense, Eljie Johnson and Shrum each had a sack for the second straight week while Shrum forced a fumble. Dalton Bilderback and Eric Hicks led the team in tackles. The JV Mules beat Caruthersville 13-12 in the season opener. Bryant ran for 110 yards on 19 carries while McAnulty completed 3-of-10 passes for 70 yards. Each intercepted a pass on defense while Tony Hinton blocked a punt.

COME BACK I should have a blog post after the game before midnight with a rough draft of the game story. Alex Abate will do a sidebar to the game for Sunday's paper.