Menu
Tigers Spoil Bear Cat Homecoming
The Caruthersville Tigers (3-2) visited the Dexter Bear Cats (4-1) on Friday night. Dexter was celebrating their homecoming and all the girls in their pretty dresses were ready for a party. But the Caruthersville Tigers crashed the party, beating Dexter on homecoming night by a score of 42-13.
Dexter won the toss and elected to receive. Their reception was short lived as they went three and out, punting the ball to the Tigers. The Tigers returned the punt near the 35-yard line. Tiger running back, Demarco Slaughter, took the first carry and the ball was knocked out of his hands. The Tigers recovered the ball and continued their march for a first down with the help of several short passes to Tiger receivers. The Tigers continued with short runs and short passes to various receivers keeping the Bear Cats from gaining possession of the ball. The Caruthersville efforts were successful as the Tigers managed the first score of the game with 7:05 left in the first quarter. Charles Goliday made the first Tiger score, running the ball in from 4-yards out. The extra point was good, Tigers led 7-0. The Bear Cats took the kickoff and ran to the 25 before being run down by Tiger defenders. Again, Dexter suffered a three and out. The Tigers regained the ball, but were unsuccessful in marching downfield as they had in their first possession. Only completing one first down before facing the Dexter defensive wall. The resulting Tiger punt was blocked by Dexter. Dexter now had excellent field position near the 50-yard line. The Dexter quarterback let go a long pass to his receiver and found his mark. The footrace for the end zone was won by Dexter. With 1:36 left in the first quarter, the score was tied. The quarter ended with the Tigers in possession and gaining ground for a chance at another score.
As the second quarter started, the Tigers were unable to take advantage of the short field and had to punt the ball. The defenses of both teams made for several back and forth possessions. Each team displayed how tough their defensive line was; trading punts for most of the second quarter. Finally, the Tigers managed to gain the upper hand. After an official measurement, the Tigers were granted a first down. Goliday passed to Strawn, who took it to the house. Unfortunately, there were penalties on both side and the touchdown was turned over. After replaying the down, the Tigers continued making downs; getting closer to the end zone each time. First and goal; Tigers were on the one. Second and goal, Goliday ran it in for the touchdown. The point after was no good. With 11.5 seconds left in the half, score was 13-7 Tigers. The buzzer for the half sounded after the kickoff return. Both teams went to the locker room with a score of 13-7 Tigers.
As the third quarter began, the Tigers came out roaring. The opening kickoff for the second half was returned to near mid-field which gave the Tigers a short field on their first possession of the half. Goliday made several pass attempts, resulting in short yardage before finding Chris Smith who made the first down of the second half. Another pass, completed to Terrius Rodgers, made another first down. The Tigers were on the prowl for the end zone. With 9:03 left in the third quarter, Goliday found Demarco Slaughter for the first score of the second half. The point after was good. Tigers were up 20-7. The ball went out of bounds on the kick off and offsetting penalties caused a re-kick. The re-kick did not yield Dexter any better field position. Dexter managed to make a few short yards before having to punt ball. The punt was returned to near the 40, again giving the Tigers good field position. The Tigers continued marching down field in steady fashion. Consistent movement, first down after first down kept the Dexter defenses on the field for a long time. With 2:52 left in the quarter, Tiger running back, Nick Moore ran the ball into the end zone for the touchdown. The point after was good. Tigers increased their lead to 27-7. Dexter received the kickoff and planned to start marching downfield, but the Tigers defensive line spoiled the Bear Cat plans, causing them to punt yet again. This time the Tigers blocked the punt and regained the ball near midfield, putting them, yet again, in good position for a march into the end zone. Tiger QB Charles Goliday made a long pass to receiver Demarco Slaughter for a first and goal. Nick Moore took the ball in the rest of the way, on the next play, for the touchdown. PAT good. 1:07 left in the third, the score was Tigers over Dexter 34-7. The resulting kickoff went deep. Blocking the Dexter receiver, Micah Rodgers was shaken up and had to leave the game. Dexter made some short yardage before the horn sounded for the end of the quarter.
Shortly into the fourth quarter found Dexter having to punt to Caruthersville. Chris Smith took the ball across midfield to near the 45-yard line. On the next carry, Demarco Slaughter took the ball into the red zone. The next play, Goliday passed to Terrius Rodgers for an 11-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was good. With 8:11 left in the game, the Tigers led 42-7. The resulting kickoff placed the ball near the 30-yard line, where the Bear Cats took over. The Bear Cats finally gained a bit of momentum and managed a few first downs. They picked up momentum and a few Tiger penalties allowed them to continue marching toward the goal. Finally, with 1:23 left in the game, Dexter managed their second score of the night. A two-point conversion attempt was no good. The score was 42-13 with the Tigers firmly in the lead. Dexter kicked off the ball and the Tigers took over near the 40. The Tigers went in to victory formation and the final horn blew; ruining the Bear Cats homecoming celebration by a final score of 42-13 Tigers.
On the win, Coach Jackson stated, “We just take what we see. We just try to take advantage of what the guys will give us and whatever defensive structure they come out in. We just game plan it that way.” On the strengths of the team during the game, “We just want to get the ball in these guys hands and let them be athletes. And if we can do that these guys will do it. When they block for each other they are a good football team. I feel like the guys wanted to come out and play together today. I told them that is what it is all about. And we wanted to dedicate this game to Coach Smith. All the time he dedicated to our school. We know he didn’t coach football, but he loved those kids and always wanted to keep up with those kids. We are happy to get that win for him.”
Coach Tim Smith, who was the Caruthersville High School basketball coach from 2012-2015, lost his battle with ALS on Thursday. He touched the lives of many students and staff during his time in Caruthersville.
Key players:
Passing: QB Charles Goliday, 15 /21 for 200 total yards and 1 touchdown
Rushing: RB Nick Moore 45 yards, 2 touchdowns QB Charles Goliday 37 yards, 2 touchdowns RB Demarco Slaughter 32 yards, 1 touchdown RB Adrian Rodgers 48 yards WR Chris Smith 20 yards
Receiving: Bryce Strawn 4 carries for 69 yards Chris Smith 6 carries for 52 yards Demarco Slaughter 3 carries for 48 yards