The Miller's have a family legacy that no other grandfather, father, and son have ever accomplished in Dexter. All three have perfect regular undefeated seasons in Bearcat football. The Miller family has a tradition in football, with aspirations and achievements being passed down and celebrated across three generations.
The 2024 football season was definitely one for the record books. The Bearcats matched a program record of 11 wins and they won the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship, which was the first in thirteen years. Most exciting for the Miller family was the fact that this achievement may never be matched again as three members of their family played in three of the four perfect seasons at Charles Bland Stadium. The four unbeaten regular season years were 1940, 1963, 1986, and 2024. The Miller family had a player on each of those teams except the 1940 team.
Jaxon Miller, a defensive back, and a sophomore at Dexter High School had told his father, Gavin Miller, "Wouldn't it be cool one day! One day, maybe, we could go undefeated. You went undefeated and 'Papa Moose' went undefeated, and I could too!"
And so this year the 2024 football team did just that, making it three generations on undefeated teams!
'Papa Moose' was Glenn Miller, grandfather of Jaxon. He played on the 1963 team, but passed away in 2009, when Jaxon was less than a year old. Glenn went by 'Big Moose Tank' in high school and was six-foot-five-inches weighing 250 pounds. His height and weight did not transfer down to his son and grandson. "Tank" blocked for Jimmy Bland, whose dad is named Charles. This is who the stadium is named after. Over the three years he played varsity his team went 26-3. He was All-Conference defensive tackle from the 1963 season during which they went 10-0.
Gavin Miller, father of Jaxon, was a wide receiver on the 1986 and 1987 District Championship Teams. His record over three years as a Bearcat was 27-2 so "we beat my dad's team by one," stated Gavin.
"Jaxon is a football fanatic," commented Gavin. "He knew that my dad played college football at Arkansas State and that I played at Evangel University and my brother who also played at Evangel.. He is just a football guy!"
Like most small towns, you might show up at a restaurant, you see an old friend and you talk of the good ole days of football. It is just what small communities do. This season will be no different. Dexter will talk of the wins for many years to come. This team had 11 wins and only one other Bearcat team has ever accomplished this feat.
During Gavin's time, Dexter won 27 of 29 games including a 9-0 season in 1986. The Bearcats went 11-1, similar to the 2024 season his son played on. Two of those teams advanced to the MSHSAA Class 4 semifinal (1986) and quarterfinal (1987). Gavin was an All-SEMO Conference player for three seasons.
Jaxon's 2024 football team went 11-1 and were 9-0 in regular season. He was recently named as First Team All-SEMO Conference selection and he is just a sophomore. He saw the potential for achieving something that had not been done since the 1980s.
"I knew we could," Jaxon said of having a perfect season. "It was there. We had the players, and we had the coaches to do it."
"Our work ethic," continued Jaxon. "We all worked hard. We lifted hard in the weight room. We listened to the coaches. We did what was asked of us."
The turning point for the Bearcats was when they defeated Southern Boone. They exploded offensively in the first four games, but when they faced a state ranked team and beat them, the players knew they had a good chance of going undefeated. Once they got over beating Park Hills and Ste. Gen who have given the 'Cats trouble in the past, a state run was most definitely in their grasp.
This football team may be disappointed in how the season ended; however they should recognize the significance of their achievements.
Jaxon aspires to continue this legacy. "I mean we could do it again next season."
The Miller family has deep roots in the Dexter Community and their connection to the local football scene is shown in their teamwork and community spirit.
There is a strong family tradition in Bearcat football and they hope to pass down those achievements and celebrate for generations to come.
Once a Bearcat, Always a Bearcat!
On October 18, the Dexter Bearcats won both on the football field and off the football field. Money raised during fundraising activities at Dexter High School, as well as all other school buildings in the district was added to the Touchdown Sponsor donations.
With their combined efforts, they were able to raise $2,700 for 18Fore Life. This money will go to those who receive a cancer diagnosis to help them in their fight to TACKLE CANCER!
The Varsity football cheerleaders and players would like to thank the generous sponsors and the entire Dexter School District for helping make this event a success! Thank you to the 2024 Bearcat Touchdown Sponsors: Keith Richard with Brem Insurance, Ryan and Ariel Lee with Ryan’s Diesel, and Jason Comfort and Brandon Barnes with Bearcat Transport.
Photo provided by Dexter High School.
Marlie Hatton and Cameron Bell spoke at the Rotary Club about their time at Missouri Girls and Boys State which is held each year for students entering their senior year. The event is held at Lindenwood University - St. Charles and is in its 84th year.
The Rotary Club sends one girl and one boy to State. Cameron Bell had the opportunity to attend Boys State. He had the privilege to be on the City Council and voted on several city ordinances. He also attended a commerce class where he learned about business in America and how the economy works together as a whole.
"This opportunity given to me by the Rotary Club was amazing and I can't thank them enough," stated Bell. "I learned a lot about government and how it works."
Marlie Hatton attended Missouri Girls State also held at Lindenwood University this past summer.
She discussed her time at Girls State with the Rotary Club as they sponsored her to attend.
"I mentioned how I was in the school of Journalism and media because I plan to minor in journalism in college," stated Hatton. "I was in Covington City in the county of Price. I was the city's treasurer and I also ran all the finances for MGS Journalism team. I was on my county's council where I voted on different laws and such."
She got to meet Governor Mike Parson which she felt was pretty amazing and got to hear so many great speakers throughout the week.
Her city actually had three state officials speak by the end of the week, the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer. They also had some senators.
"This experience was truly life changing and I will forever recommend everyone going into their senior year to do this," commented Hatton. "I also got to meet some people that I know will be lifelong best friends. I just will forever be grateful that I got to go and experience everything there. There was a lot to offer and I took full advantage of experiencing everything there. I only got 4 - 5 hours of sleep each night, but it was truly rewarding."
"The experience that the Rotary Club gave me was amazing and I can't thank them enough," concluded Hatton..
The 32nd Annual Fourth of July Patriotic Parade for Kids will be held on Thursday, July 4th at 10:00 a.m.
This annual parade will begin at the corner of Elm and Vine streets in downtown Dexter, across from the License Bureau with the Dexter Fire Department leading the way.
The youngsters guided by Uncle Sam (aka Jason Banken) will gather on the steps of the U.S. Post Office on Stoddard Street to salute the American Flag with the Pledge of Allegiance. They will sing a few patriotic songs and pose for those everlasting photos and videos. (ShowMe Times will be there!)
The parade will follow its traditional route down Elm Street to Stoddard Street with kids on bicycles, tricycles, wagons, scooters, golf carts, on foot or in strollers. You may even see a few patriotic dogs in the parade.
The parade will get moving again, east down Stoddard Street to Poplar Street, where it will turn south at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) back to Vine Street and turn west returning to the Bankens' front yard where they will be treated to lemonade and a small snack.
The "just for kids" parade was started by Janice Barney, Lisa Greer and Jean Rahm. The parade leadership has passed to a new generation, as Kristina and Jason Banken, now host the holiday parade each year. The Banken family began hosting the parade 17 years ago, and have continued to build upon the Independence Day tradition.
Children are invited to participate. They may walk or bring their bikes and other means of transportation for the parade. Parking will be available for grown-ups in the city parking lot on Vine Street across from the Dexter Municipal Building
