The Charle E. Bland Football Award was intended to honor a well-rounded student athlete.  The criteria for this award is not only being an athlete, but scholastics, school participation, attendance, community participation, leadership, personal and team attitude.

This is the 31st annual Charles Bland Award and it recognizes the contribution and legacy in the community and school sports.

"I think we missed the overall effect of all senior football players because it is bigger than just whoever carries this trophy out," commented presenter and assistant coach Jason Comfort. "Because I think all senior football players, a number of them over the past have stepped up their volunteerism, they worked a little harder on their grades, maybe they found themselves trying to struggle and fight to get to a place of leadership.  And I think when the group does that, that's often forgotten byproduct of what this award does.  There is only one winner, but many are affected by the ambitious criteria of team and community stewardship."

This award is not only athletics, but academics, leadership, community participation, and most of all attitude.  

"This award is talked about a lot. It kind of gets the aura of it is a Heisman, an MVP award, IT'A NOT!" continued Comfort. "It is set out to be a reward for the most well rounded student athlete on the football team. That is what Charles Bland's passion was about and you know a lot of people remember that passion."

This young man was very active in our community, he has good academics, and showed leadership," Comfort said.

"It is my pleasure to announce and present this years Bland Award to Caden Lee!"

Caden is the son of Ryan and Ariel Lee.  He is a four year member of the DHS football team and is also a member of Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society and Sr. Beta Club.  

His future plans are to attend the University of Mississippi and major in statistics.  He then wants to pursue a career in actuarial science.

A little history of the Bland Award


The late Charles ‘Seed’ Bland - the man that the stadium these athletes battled in during their high school careers - was a very active supporter of the Dexter School System for many years. The most amazing gift ‘Seed’ gave was his pride in the Bearcats, as well as the young people of Dexter High School.


Known only to a few, the late Ruth Bland was the ‘athlete of the family’ and was a standout for both the DHS basketball and track teams. It has been written that she was ‘the best female athlete in Southeast Missouri’ during her time.


Together, the Bland family has been there to support Dexter Schools and Bearcat Athletics for over 60 years.

Past Winners of the Bland Award

1994 - Kevin Young

1995 - Jason Comfort

1996 - Kent Essner

1997 - Mike Guethle

1998 - Justin Kelley

1999 - David Howard

2000 - Jason mayer

2001 - Nathan McKay

2002 - Drew Wethington

2003 Marc Thrower

2004 - Derek Clark

2005 - Andrew Stuever

2006 - Drew Pixley

2007 - Eric Windham

2008 - Nick Hessling

2009 - Gary Summers 

2010 - Taylor Jarrell

2011 - Tyler Miller

2012 - Ryan Joiner

2013 - Holden Bruce

2014 - Noah Kronk

2015 - Tyler Stevenson

2016 - Jason Jarrell

2017 - Ben Sindle

2018 - Nate Gargas 

2018 - Honorary Award to Alan Hedrick

2019 - Austin Guy

2020 - Ryan Collier

2021 - Camden Riley

2021 Honorary Award Aaron Pixley