Stoddard County's only high school football program has been in a slump for about the past 10 years.

Don't be mistaken -- the program has never been in shambles. But the team is never particularly bad, never particularly good.

Just average.

Dexter hasn't had a winning season since 1989, and since then the Bearcats have finished the regular season at 5-5 six times.

Second-year coach Aaron Pixley, Dexter's fourth head coach since 1992, will try to shake its average label and turn the program into a contender.

The Bearcats' last district title came in 1992, and they are again considered a longshot in Class 3A, District 1 this year. But Pixley said his team could make some noise when the time comes.

"Whenever we go into district play, we better have our A' game every single game," he said. "There's some tough teams in it, but I really think we will compete and compete well in our district."

It all starts with the junior tandem of Matt Burnett and Preston Clark.

Two big lifts

Burnett, who stepped in when his older brother Derek went out with an injury, rushed for 765 yards and had seven touchdowns. In two games he rushed for more than 200 yards.

"We're looking at him on offense to be a good running back and on defense he was a great linebacker for us," said Pixley. "We feel he's going to do well on both sides of the ball."

Clark had a solid sophomore campaign as the quarterback, throwing for 637 yards on 43 completions.

He had eight touchdown tosses and was intercepted 13 times.

"Of course, Preston got thrown to the wolves a little as a sophomore," said Pixley. "He did a good job for us. He's a year older, a little more mature. He's gained about 25 to 30 pounds of muscle and he works hard. We feel like he's going to be a better quarterback."

Offensive potential

With the quarterback and the running back positions established, Pixley said this year's team has the potential to be a force on offense.

"That's a good starting point with those two," said Pixley. "Offensively we're a lot further ahead than we were last year. We lost 18 seniors and that hurt a little bit, but we've got some young kids that we think can play football and they're going to have to step up and show what they got. Offensively, we've got six starters back and defensively we've only got two, but I'm not looking for the level of play to go down any."

In addition, Pixley returns the center and both guards. Nathan McKay headlines the group at 6 feet, 225 pounds.

"Nathan was the second best center in our conference last year," Pixley said. "He's a big kid that can run a 4.9 in the 40 (yard dash), he's a good athlete, he moves well and he's very explosive."

As usual, the Bearcats have plenty of size with the smallest lineman tipping the scales at 215 pounds, but the team doesn't have a lot of depth on the line.

There are plenty of skill players waiting if Clark or Burnett go down.

Junior Ryan Morgan has been impressive in practices at quarterback, and Pixley has several options at running back.

Deep at RB, LB

Running backs and linebackers are Dexter's deepest positions.

Josh Lilly, Garrett Williams and Cody Boyer figure to get playing time. Ryan Hyslop and Jeff Samoska can both play fullback.

One area that will have new faces is receiving . The Bearcats graduated players who made up 542 yards and another top threat, Chad Gill, didn't come out for the team.

Juniors Willie Dooley and Jeff Rawson will get the first look. Nic Smith could be a factor at tight end.

If Pixley can find capable receivers, then his Multiple-Pro offense may take shape.

"Our offense is set up to be balanced," said Pixley. "It'll cater to a good running back or a good quarterback. Last year, with a sophomore quarterback, it was tough to be balanced so we were more of a running team."

So the Bearcats' offense appears to be fine, but the defense -- because of inexperience -- is a question mark.

"Compared to last year, we returned many players on defense and it was ahead of our offense. Right now, our offense is ahead of our defense," Pixley said.

DEXTER

COACH: Aaron Pixley, 2nd year

2000 RECORD: 5-5

ENROLLMENT, CLASS SIZE: 628, 3A District 1

KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: (RB) Matt Burnett, (QB) Preston Clark, Nathan McKay

KEY PLAYERS LOST: (LB) Chase Kennedy, (RB) Derek Burnett, (WR) Aaron Hayes RETURNING STARTERS: 8

DISTRICT: 3A District 1

CONFERENCE: SEMO Central

DEXTER 2001 SCHEDULE:

Aug. 31 at Poplar Bluff

Sept. 7 at Jonesboro Westside

Sept. 14 vs. Sikeston

Sept. 21 vs. Malden

Sept. 28 vs. East Prairie

Oct. 5 at Charleston

Oct. 12 vs. Caruthersville

Oct. 19 at NMCC

Oct. 26 vs. Fredericktown

Nov. 2 at Kennett

2000 RESULTS (5-5):

Sept. 1 Poplar Bluff L 7-29

Sept. 8 Westside W 48-13

Sept. 15 at Sikeston L 0-17

Sept. 22 at Malden L 14-21

Sept. 29 at East Prairie W 28-8

Oct. 6 Charleston W 42-12

Oct. 13 at Caruthersville W 24-6

Oct. 20 NMCC L 7-38

Oct. 27 Fredericktown L 7-19

Nov. 3 Kennett W 37-27

MAGNIFICENT ELEVEN

OFFENSE

QB Preston Clark, 5-10, 160, jr.

RB Matt Burnett, 6-1, 190, jr.

FB Kevin Brown, 5-11, 205, sr.

OT Chad Galloway, 5-11, 240, jr.

OT Eric Boyt, 5-11, 240, sr.

OG Nathan Collins, 6-1, 215, sr.

OG Andrew Webster, 5-11, 215, jr.

C Nathan McKay, 6-0, 225, sr.

TE Nic Smith, 6-3, 215, sr.

WR Willie Dooley, 6-2, 175, jr.

WR Jeff Rawson, 5-11, 170, jr.

DEFENSE

DE Ryan Hyslop, 6-2, 215, jr.

DE Brandon Miller, 6-1, 185, jr.

DT Nic Smith, 6-3, 215, sr.

DT Nathan McKay, 6-0, 225, sr.

NG Zach Taylor, 6-0, 225, sr.

LB Cody Boyer, 5-9, 175, sr.

LB Josh Lilly, 5-11, 190, sr.

LB Jeff Samoska, 5-11, 185, sr.

CB Willie Dooley, 6-2, 175, jr.

CB Jeff Rawson, 5-11, 170, jr.

FS Matt Burnett, 6-1, 190, jr.

KEY SUBSTITUTES (OL/DL) Geoff Mouser

SPECIAL TEAMS K Tyler Grovenor, 5-10, 210, so.

P Ryan Hyslop, 6-2, 215, jr.

KR Matt Burnett, 6-1, 190, jr.

PR Josh Lilly, 5-11, 190, sr.

THE GOOD .....

* The Bearcats are one of the few teams in the area that return both their starting quarterback and running back.

* Coach Pixley, a weight room guru, has had a year to get his team stronger and faster than they've been in some time.

* The Bearcats have plenty of capable backups at quarterback, running back and linebacker.

THE BAD, AND UGLY

* Dexter's line is big, but there isn't much depth.

* Even if the Bearcats have improved their speed, they will still be a step slower than several teams on their schedule.

* Only two starters return from a defense that allowed 19 points per game.

HOW BOUT IT COWBOY?

Inside the mind of senior LB Jeff Samoska:

KEYS TO THE SEASON

* Play hard.

* Play as a team.

* Win.

BEST THING ABOUT FOOTBALL: "Hitting people and hitting them hard."

SUPERSTITIONS: "Nope, not at all."

PERSONAL GOALS: "It'd be nice to lead the team in tackling. If I can do that I'll be happy."

QUICK DRAWS: Games will be broadcasted on 102.3-KDEX and 90.3-KLUH. ... Dexter hasn't won a district championship since 1992...The Bearcats' last winning season occurred in 1989, which is also the last time that Dexter opened the season with a win...Despite not winning it since 1990, Dexter continues to remain competitive in the conference, posting an 11-9 record over the last five years...Dexter hasn't won more than five games since 1989...Dexter has averaged 20.2 points per game the last three years...Dexter has had four different head coaches since 1992.