Dexter, Missouri – The 2014-2015 DHS Charles Bland Award winner Mr. Noah Kronk has made the decision to play football at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.
“I am really excited to go there,” commented Kronk. “Coach Matukewicz has a good philosophy – it’s brick by brick. He is really enthusiastic and you could tell when I went up there how excited the players are to be part of the program.”
“Coach Peden had been encouraging me to play college ball,” continued Kronk. “After thinking about it, I thought it was something I really wanted to do.”
Kronk recorded 112 tackles as a linebacker for the Dexter Bearcats this season. He was selected All-Conference and one of the Top 10 Defensive Players in Southeast Missouri.
Noah is the son of Darryl and Carla Bradley and has participated in tennis, basketball, and football all four years of high school. He is an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Honors Choir, Pep Club, and the Dexter Honor Society.
He attended Missouri Boys State and was named All-Region Football team member and All-District Football team member in 2013.
When asked about his two most memorable football moments, Kronk said, “My two favorite moments would probably be last year when we played Charleston and we came from behind and scored three touchdowns and I sealed it off with a game-ending interception. And this year when we defeated Sikeston at Sikeston which was probably my favorite memory of high school.”
“I am super proud of Noah,” stated Dexter head football coach Justin Peden. “He is a great kid. He was always at everything we asked him to be at and he got there early. He deserves the opportunity and I think he will represent Dexter very well, represent us well and his family. I think he is going to be successful in whatever he chooses to do and I am very glad he chose to stay local so I can go watch him play.”
Kronk said he has played many positions on the football field during his high school and middle school days. He has played running back, tight end, middle linebacker, outside linebacker and wide receiver. He will have to gain a bit of muscle to play linebacker in college, about 30 pounds.
“I see him as a linebacker,” stated Peden. “He has the instincts to play it. I think he can play it. I could also see him in special teams his freshman and sophomore seasons and then maybe step into a starting role. He’s a smart football player and a smart kid, and I think he will be able to play wherever they want him to play.”
Southeast Missouri State University under the direction of Tom Matukewicz will host numerous local players from Potosi, Kennett, Bonne Terre, Jackson, and now Dexter.
“I am super impressed with Coach Matukewicz,” commented Peden. “I have heard him speak at a couple of clinics. He is really all about recruiting in the southeast Missouri area and I am glad Noah is going into an environment with coaches that I think will help his development. All the assistant coaches p there are great as well and it’s going to be a great place for him to be.”
