Kelly, Charleston, Portageville and East Prairie turn up the heat at Dexter 7-on-7

DEXTER, MO. — Kelly, Charleston, East Prairie and Portageville were among the teams putting months of offseason training to the test at the Dexter 7-on-7 and Big Man Challenge on Wednesday, June 19. 

The event provided valuable experience for these smaller programs, highlighting areas of strength and improvement as they prepare for the fall season.

The Hawks left their mark by showcasing hustle and a fiery competitive spirit throughout the event. 

“We came to compete, and I’m proud of how the boys battled all day,” said Kelly coach Lance Powers. “The energy was contagious, especially from our big men. They brought the physicality we need to build on.”

The Hawks’ upperclassmen weren’t just playmakers, they were the backbone. A dropped pass or blown assignment didn’t break their spirit; it hardened it. The team was not perfect but they were relentless. And that’s the kind of football that makes teams dangerous come Friday nights in the fall. 

“Our seniors set the tone with their toughness and refusal to quit,” Powers said.  “They embraced the grind, learned from their mistakes, and never let a bad play snowball. That’s the mentality we want to see.”

Charleston used the event as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement. While the defense started slow, they steadily progressed throughout the day, showcasing their adaptability.

“I thought today went great,” said Charleston coach Justin Hutchings. “Every day we have the opportunity to grow as a team. We started off slow on the defensive side of things but picked it up and got better each game after.”

Offensively, the Bluejays connected on several deep passes but Hutchings acknowledged the need for refinement in the short-to-medium passing game.

“The biggest positive takeaway is that it showed us what we need to work on and we just had some fun today,” Hutchings said, adding the team’s positive attitude and willingness to learn stood out as key takeaways. “I am really proud of our effort and attitudes today. We didn’t get down when we didn’t play well at the beginning and got better and better against some good competition.”

Portageville arrived in Dexter with a chip on its shoulder. The departure of last year’s star-studded senior class left more questions than answers about this year’s squad. But the Bulldogs didn’t just silence the doubters; they made a statement.

“We finished 4-0 and I loved our attitude and effort,” said Portageville coach Luke Rayfield. “We didn’t back down from anyone. It’s been a whirlwind the last few weeks, but these guys have rolled with the punches and been incredibly coachable.”

Xayvion Bogan (Sr.) was a consistent threat in the passing game, hauling in multiple touchdowns. 

Rylan Partin (Sr.), stepping into the quarterback role, showed poise beyond his years, efficiently moving the offense downfield. 

Defensively, the linebacker duo of Jayquan Bogan (Sr.) and Cross Howard (Sr.) proved formidable, consistently disrupting passing lanes and making plays in the flats.

But Portageville’s success wasn’t just about star power; it was about a team of brothers stepping up when their number was called. Young players, some in unfamiliar positions, rose to the occasion, proving the program’s depth and resilience.

“All of our young guys jumped in and some played positions that they haven’t even practiced yet,” Rayfield said. “They embraced the challenge and helped us win some of those scrimmages.”

The Bulldogs’ unity shone brightest in the Big Man Challenge, where they won the tug-of-war and secured a second-place finish overall.

Eli Wheeler (Jr.), Owen Roberts (Sr..), Jacob Altice (Sr.), and Adrien Alexander (So.) all earned individual honors, showcasing the team’s strength and athleticism upfront.

For Rayfield, the most gratifying takeaway wasn’t the 4-0 record or the individual accolades. It was the sight of his 7-on-7 squad cheering on their linemen in the tug-of-war and the shared joy in each other’s successes.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Rayfield said. “They genuinely cared about each other’s performance, and celebrated each other’s wins. That kind of camaraderie, that team-first attitude championship squads have.”

East Prairie took to the field with a focus on effort and attitude, and new head coach Ian Penrod was pleased with the results.

“Our kids did a great job,” Penrod “said. “They showed consistent effort across all contests and kept their emotions in check, staying steady throughout the day.”

Senior wide receiver Tripp Shoemaker stood out, using his size and athleticism to create mismatches against opposing defenses. The Eagles also impressed with their grasp of offensive concepts, considering their limited time together as a unit.

“We played each contest close,” Penrod said.. “I’m proud of how well the kids executed our concepts, especially since we’ve only been together for a few weeks. It’s a testament to their work ethic and willingness to learn.”