Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School held their annual Fall Sports Recognition Banquet on Thursday at the high school cafeteria.

Athletes competing in football, cross country, volleyball, girls tennis and football cheerleader were recognized at the event.  Awards, certificates, first time letter winners and the ultimate Charles Bland Award were given to athletes throughout the evening. 

In Cross Country two athletes were honored.  The Most Outstanding Male Runner went to Josh Ladd, a junior at DHS.  The Most Outstanding Female Runner went to Emily Ladd, a freshman at DHS.

The football cheerleaders were recognized.  McKenzie Anthony, Michaela Gard, Macy Graves, Shelbie Hill, Britney Hubbard, Kelsey Kendrick, Jackie Kiger, Taylin Leija, Karlie McKuin, Paige Moore, Chelsea Mullins, Caroline Powers, MacKinlee Rogers, and Myca Sutton were our 2014 football cheerleaders who kept the fans going throughout the heat, the rain, and the cold at all of the football games.

MaKayla Waldner, a junior, received the Most Singles Wins and Most Valuable Player for Girls Tennis.  She finished the season 13-5 in singles and 9-5 in doubles.  Destiny Robertson, the only senior on the girls tennis team earned the Most Doubles Wins finishing 13-5 this season.

The Lady 'Cats Tennis team completed their season 11-5 varsity and 8-4 junior varsity.

In Volleyball, Jessica Lindsey received the Defensive Player of the Year award and the Most Kills Award.  Junior volleyball player Julia Hahn received the Most Sets Award.  Hahn tallied a team-high 292 assists.  Lindsey had a team-high 138 digs, 72 blocks, and 297 kills.

"We had a combined record (varsity and junior varsity) of 48 wins and 5 losses,"  commented head volleyball coach Carmen Morgan.  "The best compliment they could receive was 'those girls are fun to watch' and I agree they were fun to watch.  They played 'in your face' volleyball and I couldn't be more proud of them."

"We placed 2nd in the Notre Dame Tournament, won the SEMO Conference, won the SCAA Tournament and won Districts!  The varsity lost to Farmington and came back and won 19 straight games!  We had a great year and we are here to stay!"

"Jessica and Shyann have been playing volleyball together since the 4th grade and I am proud that they will continue to play together throughout their college years at Mineral Area College," continued Morgan.

Junior football player Jared Deal received the Lineman of the Year award.  Deal made the play calls on the offensive line.


"Jared was by far our best offensive lineman this year," stated head football coach Justin Peden.   "We had injuries that caused guys to have to move around. Jared was always there, helping guys learn plays and being a positive force on the team. He made the line calls a lot this year, which is difficult to do. Not only is he a good player but he's an even better guy to be around. He is a leader by example and a great influence on the younger players. I am excited to get to work with him next year. He has not reached his "ceiling" yet and when he does he will be one of the best in Southeast Missouri."

Senior football player Peyton Pollock received the Most Valuable Back/Skilled Position award.

Pollock completed 130 passes for 1,572 yards including 13 touchdowns.  Pollock carried the ball 142 times rushing for 730 yards including 8 touchdowns.  His total yardage was 2,302 with 21 touchdowns.

Senior football player Noah Kronk earned the Defensive Most Valuable Player and the Overall Most Valuable Player award.

Noah also earned the infamous Charles Bland Award.  This award is presented yearly to the most well-rounded football player and he is the 21st recipient of this award.

"I would like to start out by saying thank you for this award.  It means a great deal to me and I can remember when I was just a freshman watching Tyler Miller, someone I still look up to today, win this award,"  Kronk stated in his acceptance speech at the banquet.  "I knew right then this is something I would like to work towards.  That being said football is a tough sport.  It demands a lot of you both physically and mentally, but I have made a lot of friendships and memories that I will cherish forever."

"I would like to thank all the coaches for their support over the years, thank my Mom and Dad, and thank everyone for this award," Kronk continued.  "We had a good year finishing 4-6 and we beat Sikeston!"