Tribe to battle Dexter for spot in playoffs

File photo by Mike Buhler Jimmy Gooden (2) and the Kennett Indians look to accomplish a pair of feats Thursday night when they host the Dexter Bearcats -- 1) beat the 'Cats for the first time in a decade; and 2) earn the school's first playoff berth since 1986. [Click to enlarge]

There may have been more than a few eyebrows raised back in April when Kenneth "Red" Riedinger said that he expected the Kennett Indians to make the playoffs this fall. After all, the Indians had just graduated 15 seniors and not made the playoffs since 1986.

But with just one game remaining in the regular season, the Tribe is in a position to do just that.

"We have worked all year for just this -- the playoffs," Riedinger said. "We don't have the record we want but hey, we will take what we get. This week is huge for us -- heck it huge for our whole football program."

Kennett can earn its first playoff berth in 23 years on Thursday night -- if they beat the Dexter Bearcats by eight or more points and if New Madrid County Central wins at Perryville.

"I told our kids when I got the job, I came to win games and make the playoffs," Riedinger said. "Now we have a chance to do just that. This week is huge, and one I have played in my mind over and over."

Just beating Dexter would be huge for the Tribe. Kennett has not defeated the Bearcats since 1999 and has never won against head coach Aaron Pixley.

"Dexter is a quality program," Riedinger said. "Beating them would certainly set the tone for things to come in our football program."

To do that, they will need to hold senior quarterback Ben Mills in check. A three-year starter, Mills has thrown for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns this season for the 'Cats and has been a thorn in the side of Kennett during his career.

Mills threw for three TDs in a 33-27 victory at Kennett two years ago, then threw an 83-yard pass to Gary Summers in the final minute to lead Dexter past the Indians 26-21 last year.

"He is a tough competitor that put the ball in a spot that give his receivers a chance," Riedinger said. "He will certainly be a challenge."

Mills' top two targets this fall have been Summers and Ryan Windham. Summers has caught 26 passes for 490 yards and six scores, while Windham has caught 28 balls for 437 yards and four TDs. Meanwhile, tight end Morgan Hedrick has added 201 yards on 15 catches.

"They pose a threat out on the corners -- they run great routes and catch the football well," Riedinger said. "It should be an exciting matchup for us."

Meanwhile, Wesley McCollough gives the Bearcats a threat on the ground. The senior has ran for 627 yards and four touchdowns on 134 carries this season.

"Even in years that they have a great passer, two great receivers along with a good tight end, (Dexter) still will be able to run the ball," Riedinger said. "It is what they do and when it is in your blood it is something you will always do. McCollough is certainly a great back."

On the other sideline, Dexter will be looking to contain a Kennett offense that has shown signs of coming alive of late. Quarterback Adam Grantham has thrown for over 400 yards combined in Kennett's first two district games and has passed for 831 yards and nine TDs this season.

"They present us with a lot of major problems on both sides of the ball," Pixley said. "From a defensive standpoint, we've really got to run (to the ball) and tackle because they are good athletes -- and we've got to play pass defense because that quarterback throws the ball well and they've got good receivers. Offensively, they put a lot of really quick guys up front and they put a lot of them on the line and you've got to make sure you're quick off the ball."

Grantham's favorite target has been Jimmy Gooden, who has caught 27 balls for 519 yards and five TDs, while juniors Cameron Wallace and Andy Lack have combined for 11 catches and 217 yards over the last two weeks.

"They've got some weapons, they're very fast and a very athletic group of kids," Pixley said. "We've got to make sure we get a body on them on offense to blocks, and swarm and tackle on defense."

Meanwhile, Pixley is concerned about the Tribe's 10-1 defense.

"They do a good job on the edge not letting you get outside," Pixley said. "Then they play man-to-man coverage and make you throw a perfect pass to beat them. It's a sound philosophy -- you've just got to line up and beat it. We've got to make sure we come ready to play, because they are going to be fired up and they can do some things against us so we have to make sure we stay focused and play all night long."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Metz Cherry Stadium.

Opponents: Last week the Tribe's opponents were 6-4 and are 46-44 on the season. Here's how they did:

Charleston (1-8) def. Malden, 14-8
Caruthersville (7-2) def. East Prairie, 21-0
Hayti (6-3) def. Chaffee, 38-6
East Prairie (7-2) lost to Caruthersville, 21-0
Portageville (3-6) lost to St. Vincent, 16-6
Malden (2-7) lost to Charleston, 14-8
Sikeston (9-0) def. Poplar Bluff, 28-0
Perryville (1-8) lost to Dexter, 41-0
NMCC (5-3) def. Kennett, 45-18
Dexter (4-5) def. Perryville, 41-0

Weather: The National Weather Service is calling for cloudy skies and heavy rain with a kickoff temperature in the lower to mid 60s. Winds will be 15 miles per hour out of the south-southeast, switching to the south. Kennett may receiver over two inches of rain by the end of the night, so look for the field to be soaked -- and bring an umbrella and/or raincoat.