Semoball

Dexter football seeks more production on offense

Senior members of the Dexter football team are (from left) Jordan Peterson, Caleb Coons, Luke Blocker, Peyton Driskill, Ryan Collier, Michael Smith, Brayden Crockett, Jacob Medler and CJ Greene. Alex Townsend is not pictured.
DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second of three stories previewing the Dexter football team.

If the Dexter football team wants to improve on its win total this season, a more productive offense will be needed.

Last season, the Bearcats finished 1-8, scored only 73 points (8.1 points per game) and were shut out three times.

To produce more wins this season, the Bearcats must do so with a new offensive backfield, starting with replacing two-year starting quarterback Haden Hillis.

Senior Peyton Driskill, junior Josh Alday and freshman Rhyder Williams have been practicing at the position.

“It’s been a good battle for what we want to do on offense,” head coach Aaron Pixley said. “Right now, Peyton Driskill, with all the running we do with our quarterback, he has the edge right now. Josh Alday throws the ball very well. Peyton’s thrown the ball very well, too.

“Two different types of quarterbacks. Both of them, we feel like if we had to put them into the game, they can direct our offense for sure.”

Hillis passed for 607 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 79 yards and scored two TDs last year.

Leading rushers Mason Keena and Austin Guy graduated. Keena rushed for 643 yards on 167 carries (3.9 per carry) and four touchdowns. Guy gained 262 yards on 70 carries (3.7).

“As far as running backs, they’re basically new,” Pixley said. “We’ll be using kids who played JV last year and will be first-time varsity starters: tailbacks (junior) Taylor Condict and (sophomore) Logan Josupait (and) fullbacks (juniors) Harrison and Carter Pennington. (Junior) Lucas Alday is relatively new. He moved in late last year.”

The Bearcats’ most experienced group is receiver. Senior Alex Townsend led them with 14 catches for 305 yards and three touchdowns last season. Senior Ryan Collier and junior Braxton Greenfield caught eight passes apiece. Senior CJ Greene had three receptions.

Driskill played the receiver position last year, making seven catches.

The Bearcats return players with experience on the offensive line: Senior Caleb Coons, senior Brayden Crockett and junior Francois Haasbroek-Wirz.

“I think we’ll be young and aggressive,” Pixley said of his offensive line. “That’s a good combination. They just have to grow each and everyday and figure out what they’re supposed to do. Keep working on their technique. One thing we tell our kids all the time, they have total control over their effort and their aggression. We feel like we’ve got some pretty aggressive young kids who are going to be good football players someday.”

Linemen Matt Agey, Ryder Foster and Josiah Payne graduated.

Senior Jacob Medler returns as kicker and Carter Pennington will be the long snapper. Medler made five of seven extra-point attempts in 2019.

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