By: Tara Blue
Southern Boone gave the undefeated Dexter Wildcats a run for their money in a close game on Saturday, Sep. 28th. The Friday night game was postponed due to weather conditions caused by Hurricane Helene.

The Wildcats had beaten all other opponents by a margin of 40-50 points, until meeting their match with the Eagles.
Southern Boone defense held Dexter to a field goal on their first possession.

Hudson Talley trips up a Dexter runner

Jace Wren deflects a Wildcat pass

Hudson Talley and Braidan Jackson make the stop

The Eagles were slow to score, as back-to-back encroachment penalties kept them far from the end zone.

Southern Boone finally got on the board when Dexter fumbled at the four yard line and the ball was recovered by Aiden McDaniel. Eagles QB Mason Shearer then threw a 40-yard pass to Jayce Troth who ran in for a touchdown, bringing the score to 7-3.

Jayce Troth runs a touchdown after catching a 40 yard pass

Several more penalties pushed the Eagles back, but they caught a break when a Dexter pass was intercepted by Braidan Jackson at the two-yard line.

Braidan Jackson intercepts a Dexter pass at the two yard line

The score held through halftime, but Dexter ran a touchdown right after halftime kick off, taking the lead 10-7.

A run by Tanner Shelton brought the ball all the way to the Eagles three-yard line and QB Mason Shearer followed up by pushing in a touchdown, bringing the score to 14-10 Eagles.

Tanner Shelton runs a first down

The Wildcats then pulled ahead 24-14 after scoring back-to-back touchdowns. A series of unfortunate events kept the Eagles from scoring on the next few possessions, as they were hit with a penalty, fumbled the ball, then turned over the ball on downs.

With 40 seconds left in the game, a touchdown pass caught by Braidan Jackson brought the final score to 21-24 Dexter.


The Varsity Eagles now hold a 3-2 season record and will face the Eldon Mustangs at home this Friday night.