Dexter FB Notes: Jamerson has 'Cats playing deep into their roster

Third-year Dexter High School football coach Chad Jamison yells into his headset during the Bearcats' game at Malden on Friday.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

The Dexter High School football team began its 2024 season by utilizing all 63 players in its dominating performance at the Portageville jamboree, and that “all in” philosophy continued in Friday’s 57-8 thumping of Malden at Malden.

“It was nice to get everybody involved tonight,” third-year Bearcat coach Chad Jamerson said following the win. “Anytime you can get kids involved and get the football into numerous Kids’ hands, that is an alright night.”

Dexter didn’t waste any time in doing just that, as senior quarterback Jackson Howard hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Langston Werneck for a long gain inside the Green Wave red zone on the Bearcats’ first offensive play.

Werneck was making his first career start and ended with a pair of receptions for 49 yards and a score.

“Langston got a lot of spot time for us on defense,” Jamerson said of his role as a defensive back. “It is such a benefit for us to be deep in some spots and have athletes. Devin (Turnbo) needed a break after a big carry, so we can put (Nolan Alford) in. When Devin needs a break on defense, we can put Langston in.”

Werneck had a pass breakup, but he wasn’t the only young Bearcat to shine.

Sophomore defender Jaxon Miller had six tackles, one for a loss, and he nabbed one of the three Dexter interceptions, along with junior linebackers Conner Hill and Jason Hervoyavich.

“We’re really at a spot right now,” Jamerson said of his program, “where we can spot play.

Other young Bearcats getting significant time Friday were junior linebacker Rhett Wamble (five tackles, one-half sack, three stops for a loss), sophomore linebacker Carson Hurt (five stops, one sack, 1 ½ tackles for a loss), sophomore linebacker Baron Greer (three tackles), and sophomore linebacker Elijah Ibriham (three tackles).

Along the offensive line, junior Landon Annesser and sophomore Walker Jarrell played key roles for a run game that tallied 348 yards on the ground.

“Walker,” Jamerson said of Jarrell, “for his first time starting, was really big time. Landon, with his first varsity game start, did exactly what we needed him to do.”

Dexter FB dominates Malden 57-8 in opening rout

Tom Davis

There was a stark difference between the Dexter and Malden football programs on Friday, as the Bearcats have had two-plus seasons to evolve into a very solid group, whereas the Green Wave are taking their first steps toward doing just that in first-year coach Treston Pulley's tenure.

Don’t fret, Lee-Michael is fine

Perhaps the most explosive athlete on the Dexter roster (Nolan Alford would contest this), senior athlete Lee-Michael McDonald, sat out the second half with an injury to his left ankle.

“He just had a rolled ankle, and we were precautionary,” Jamerson said. He kept saying that he could go, he is such a competitor.”

McDonald had only touched the ball once offensively and it was a memorable possession.

He scampered 51 yards for a score on his lone carry. However, he did misplay a punt return, which Malden recovered at mid-field.

“He wanted to make up for that muffed punt,” Jamerson said, “but we needed to play it smart and keep him off the field. Let him live to play another day.”

The Bearcats (1-0) will host Sikeston (1-0) on Friday for their Homecoming Game at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs opened their regular season with a 29-18 win under first-year head coach Jim May, who had a long successful tenure at Scott City prior to this season.