Dexter power back takes 'great outlook' to challenges

When the New Madrid County Central football squad climbs down the steps on its bus outside of Charles Bland Stadium in Dexter on Friday, there will be an air of concern emanating throughout the stadium – and with good reason.

The Eagles have beaten the Bearcats five consecutive seasons, and the outcomes haven’t been close. However, one Dexter player, junior running back Jett Grams, will surely be cognizant of how good the Class 2 No. 12-ranked Eagles (2-0) are, however, his demeanor will be the same regardless of any other Friday night.

“Jett is a special kid,” second-year Dexter coach Chad Jamerson said.

Grams has played a significant role in helping the Bearcats to their best start (2-0) in 12 seasons. The Bearcats will host New Madrid County Central tonight at 7 p.m.

The Bearcats find themselves in a similar position as a week ago. Dexter hadn’t beaten Sikeston in three seasons and had an agonizingly frustrating loss in 2022 to the Bulldogs, that Jamerson admitted, he hadn’t ever really gotten over. However, he had a talk with Grams prior to that game – an eventual 22-0 road win – that eased his nerves a bit.

“I was anxious with nerves all day,” Jamerson said of last week, “and a couple of the kids were (also), but Jett Grams is even-keeled all of the time. He never gets too up and he never gets too down.”

His play this fall, particularly around the goal line, has been “too up,” though.

Jamerson has no shortage of running backs to tap from sophomore Devin Turnbo, junior Lee-Michael McDonald, and senior RJ Farmer, however, when he needs a bowling ball of strength to burst through the defensive front, it is usually Grams number that is called.

“I asked (Grams),” Jamerson recalled, “’Do you get nervous?’”

Grams, who scored a pair of touchdowns in the win over Sikeston, replied with a sense of confidence and calmness.

“Coach,” Grams said, “what is going to happen is going to happen. I’m just going to do the best that I can.”

Jamerson felt “That is a great outlook for anything that he does.”

Grams has totaled 92 yards rushing this season through two games, to go with those two touchdowns.

“He has an excellent outlook,” Jamerson continued. “He is just infectious to be around. He has a great smile and a great personality.”

The Eagle defense will be a beast to deal with, and Jamerson knows that. Having said that, the New Madrid County Central defense has allowed a total of 70 points this season, so there is some potential for the Bearcat run game to gain some yardage and move the ball, of which Grams will be a huge asset.

“Jett plays hard,” Jamerson said. “It’s nice to watch him run dudes over.”