Bearcats ranked No. 9 in preseason AP voting

In the first preseason poll of the season by the Associated Press, the Dexter Bearcats are listed at No. 9 in Class 3.

The ranking reflects the success of last season's team that advanced to the MSHSAA Class 3 playoffs. The team returns 12 different starters from last season.

Dexter's first opponent this season is Ste. Genevieve, which also received votes in Class 3 put did not crack the Top 10. The Bearcats will host the Dragons at 7 o'clock this Friday at Charles Bland Stadium.

Here is a complete list of the football rankings as compiled by a panel of 12 sportswriters and radio broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis.

Class 1

Rank, Team Points

1. Valle Catholic (9) 117

2. Concordia (3) 111

3. Wellington Napoleon 84

4. Tipton 61

5. Westran 60

6. South Harrison 54

7. West Platte 45

8. Salisbury 39

9. South Shelby 28

10. Miller 24

Others receiving votes: Pierce City 11, East Buchanan 11, Drexel 11, Hayti 2.

Class 2

Rank, Team Points

1. Macon (6) 114

2. Maplewood-RH (4) 105

3. Hamilton (2) 101

4. Lamar 78

5. Lafayette County 54

6. Blair Oaks 44

7. Centralia 43

8. Lawson 41

9. Caruthersville 23

T10. Mountain View-Liberty 20

T10. South Callaway 20

Others receiving votes: Brookfield 12, Hogan Prep 7, Herculaneum 3, Carrollton 2.

Class 3

Rank, Team Points

1. Logan-Rogersville (3) 108

2. Maryville (6) 107

3. Richmond (2) 101

4. Cassville (1) 77

5. Springfield Catholic 66

6. Owensville 53

7. John Burroughs 43

8. Oak Grove 39

9. Dexter 27

10. Cardinal Ritter 20

Others receiving votes: Southern Boone 11, Ste. Genevieve 5, Osage 2, KC St. Pius X 1.

Class 4

Rank, Team Points

1. Webb City (11) 119

2. Harrisonville 97

3. Bolivar 79

4. Union 70

5. Kearney (1) 57

6. MICDS 45

7. Savannah 42

8. Platte County 40

9. Helias 30

10. Hannibal 27

Others receiving votes: Carthage 22, Warrenton 15, Ladue 7, Sikeston 5, Miller Career 2, Farmington 2, Hillcrest 1.

Class 5

Rank, Team Points

1. Lee's Summit West (12) 120

2. Staley 104

3. Webster Groves 99

4. Fort Osage 74

5. Kirkwood 71

6. Raytown South 68

7. Park Hill 44

8. Park Hill South 23

T9. Parkway North 22

T9. Parkway Central 22

Also receiving votes: Lebanon 13.

Class 6

Rank, Team Points

1. Rockhurst (12) 120

2. Fort Zumwalt West 106

3. DeSmet 98

4. Blue Springs 71

5. CBC 70

6. Jefferson City 53

7. Blue Springs South 39

8. Eureka 27

T9. McCluer North 21

T9. Hazelwood Central 21

Others receiving votes: St. Louis U. High 12, Raymore-Peculiar 11, Francis Howell 11.