Dexter faces arguably its toughest test of the season Friday in a road game at Park Hills Central.
The undefeated Rebels are ranked third in the Class 3 media poll and are the top team in the district with 48.94 points.
"They speak for themselves. Very physical, they do what they do," Dexter head coach Kevin Goltra said. "They have a lot of experience on that football team, as well. Very tough opponent, very physical, good defense."
Dexter (4-3) is currently third with 36.98 points and is 1.84 points ahead of Salem.
The Bearcats are coming off back-to-back home losses against Caruthersville and Kennett and have injuries piling up.
Park Hills Central (7-0), meanwhile, dominated Fredericktown last week 54-17 and had its starters on the bench before halftime. The Rebels have won five of their seven games by at least 20 points. Their one common opponent with Dexter so far is Ste. Genevieve, who Central beat 47-28 and the Bearcats beat 16-8.
The Rebels also beat MICDS 22-20 and Potosi, which is fifth in the district standings, 28-20.
Caleb Hoggard rushed for 84 yards on 28 carries against Kennett last week, putting him just shy of 800 yards for the season. Corbin Strong added 42 yards on 14 carries and Dexter averaged 2.95 yards per carry.
Hoggard left last week's game in the fourth quarter with a rib injury but is expected to play. Goltra said X-Ray's revealed a bruise, but no breaks.
Spencer Warren, Dexter's sixth man for the offensive line, is out Friday with a shoulder reason and Christian Yarbro is out for an undisclosed reason. Braxton Foster will make his first start at left tackle this week.