For the third straight week, Friday's importance has increased.
First it was Sikeston, outside of the district and conference but important in terms of Dexter gaining respect from the region.
Then it was homecoming against Caruthersville, a conference but not a district opponent. And now its Kennett, both a conference and district opponent.
Kennett (4-2) is the only 2-0 team in the SEMO South Conference and will lock up the conference title with a win. The Indians also hold a narrow lead on Dexter (4-2) in the district standings.
Kennett is second with 41.13 points and Dexter is 0.96 behind them. Undefeated Park Hills, with 50 points, who Dexter plays Oct. 6, holds the top seed.
Adding fuel to the game is the fact that Kennett beat Dexter last year for the first time since 1999, on Dexter's homecoming night no less.
Kennett is coming off a 34-22 win over New Madrid Central, who Dexter beat 38-0.
The Indians, who also beat Caruthersville after taking advantage of five turnovers, were tied with Central after the third quarter.
X'Zavier Whitfield ran for a 16-yard score and Patrick Maddox found Ty Ellis with a 30-yard touchdown pass in the fourth to take the win.
Maddox threw for 214 yards on 11 for 19 passing and also led Kennett with 90 rushing yards on 15 carries. Whitfield added 77 yards on 13 carries as the two comprised the vast majority of Kennett's rushing attack.
Zane Wallace was Maddox's primary target and caught five passes for 99 yards while Ellis hauled in three catches for 66 yards.
Caleb Hoggard has been Dexter's workhorse in the backfield this season with 694 rushing yards on 159 carries in Dexter's power rushing attack. He had 74 yards on 22 carries last week. Strong has been spelling him and averaging 6.4 yards on 58 carries.
Ernesto Rivera has suddenly become one of Dexter's leading receivers after catching two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown against Caruthersville.
After not having a catch through four weeks, Rivera now has three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.