Dexter shakes off slow start, Kelly in 48-8 thumping

Dexter High School senior running back Jett Grams powers his way toward the end zone on Friday against Kelly in Benton.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

BENTON – As impressive as the Dexter High School football squad played in a thrilling 24-21 win over then-Class 3 No. 10-ranked Southern Boone on Sept. 29, that is how sloppy the Bearcats played in the opening quarter of their game at Kelly on Friday. However, in the end, Dexter (6-0, 3-0 SEMO Conference Central Division) dominated the Hawks over the final three quarters and won easily 48-8.

“We found a way (to win),” third-year Bearcat coach Chad Jamerson said following the victory. “That is what these boys do. They find a way.”

The Class 3 No. 3-ranked Bearcats were riddled with early penalties, which stymied the typically potent offense. However, sophomore runner Langston Werneck, who has admirably filled in for injured senior Lee-Michael McDonald (ankle) found the end zone with 4:40 remaining in the opening period on a short run.

“I think we came out and played well in the second quarter,” Jamerson said. “I was very blunt with them about how I felt their play was going. We picked it up and played a lot more physical in the second quarter.”

Senior bulldozer Jett Grams made it a 14-0 game on a 16-yard burst early in the second quarter, but the Hawks (2-4, 1-2 SEMO Conference Central Division) showed life on the ensuing drive.

Kelly converted several short-yardage situations and ultimately scored on a nice 22-yard toss from senior quarterback Skyler Still to senior Grant Burleson to trim its deficit to 14-8 with 5:16 left in the first half.

“You talk about a kid who can throw the ball a country mile,” Jamerson said of Still. “He certainly can. He can pull it (down) and run.

“He can do some special things with the football in his hands.”

The Bearcats wasted little time seizing back the momentum, as senior Nolan Alford scored on a 6-yard run for a 21-8 margin.

Dexter closed the opening half by going to the air.

Senior quarterback Jackson Howard hit senior tight end Logan Pullum for a 28-yard gain in the final minute and later hit Werneck, who leaped over a pair of Hawk defenders for a 12-yard touchdown catch.

Grams’ two-point conversion gave Dexter a 29-8 halftime lead.

“I think it really carried over into the second half,” Jamerson said of the second quarter momentum, “with the way we were playing physically. I still feel (however) that we weren’t as fundamentally sound as I would have liked.”

Grams added another score for a 36-8 advantage midway through the third quarter before the Bearcat defense made some highlight plays.

On a fourth-and-short run, Dexter senior Caleb Gott plugged a hole with authority and knocked the Kelly runner – and the ball – backward, which was recovered by Still, who then got sacked for a loss to kill that drive.

With 1:30 left in the third quarter, junior defensive back Devin Turnbo picked Still off and ran the interception back 40 yards for a score and a 42-8 lead.

Turnbo later closed the offensive production with a 26-yard scoring run and the final margin.

He ended the night with 36 yards rushing while Grams (60 yards rushing, 36 yards receiving on two catches, and two touchdowns), Werneck (14 yards rushing, 37 yards receiving on three receptions, and two scores), Alford (22 yards rushing, one score), Pullum (two receptions for 33 yards), and Howard (10 of 15 passing for 144 yards and one score) were also productive.

Dexter will visit Kennett (0-6, 0-3 SEMO Conference Central Division) on Friday at 7 p.m.

Kelly will host East Prairie (4-2, 2-1 SEMO Conference Central Division) on Friday at 7 p.m.