Dexter FB cupboard not bare in 2025, particularly on defense

Dexter High School defenders Jason Hervoyavich (44) and Jaxon Miller (1) lead a group of Bearcats in stopping Scott City from scoring at the goalline this past season at Charles Bland Stadium.

Tom Davis ~ TDavis@semoball.com

There have only been three other teams in the history of Dexter High School football that have achieved an unbeaten regular season prior to this year’s group doing so.

Also, there has never been a team that won more games (11) than this year’s squad was able to do before falling in the MSHSAA Class 3 Quarterfinal round against Lift For Life recently. So, to ask the Bearcats 2025 team to match the magic of this past season wouldn’t be reasonable, however, that doesn’t mean that the Bearcats don’t have the potential to be a very formidable program moving forward.

“We may not be as deep in the future as we are right now,” third-year Bearcat coach Chad Jamerson said at the conclusion of this season, “but I do think that there is a lot of talent still here.”

He’s correct in that assessment, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

The impact of losing 19 seniors will absolutely be felt, but the statistical fact is that Dexter returns six of its top eight defensive tacklers, including the top three in junior linebacker Jason Hervoyavich, sophomore defensive back Jaxon Miller, and junior defensive back Conner Hill.

“You’re never going to replace the seniors that we’re losing,” Jamerson said. “But we’ve got guys who can step in and play roles and really continue the success that we’ve got going.”

That will start with Hervoyavich, who far and away led the Bearcats in defensive stops with 109 tackles, including 9 ½ for a loss. He also added three interceptions this season.

He was joined at the top of the statistics by Miller (66 tackles, 5 ½ for a loss) and Hill (62 tackles, three for a loss).

“That back four is exceptional,” Jamerson said of his defensive backs, which included junior Devin Turnbo, as well, “and that front seven is pretty special, too.”

The 'perfect' family tradition continues for the Miller's of Dexter FB

Tom Davis

There was no shortage of incredible feats achieved by the 2024 Dexter football program this past season. The Bearcats matched a program record for victories (11) and won the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 championship, which was the first for the program in 13 seasons. However, a memorable triumph that, perhaps, will never be matched again, was...

The Bearcats limited their opponents to just over 12 points per game, which is by far the most stifling in recent memory and may be the best statistical defense ever in Bearcat history.

Turnbo returns having made 43 stops while junior linebacker Rhett Wamble and sophomore defensive back Houston Neely each made 39 tackles.

Neely was incredibly opportunistic, as he led the team with eight interceptions.

“What makes Houston really impressive,” Jamerson explained during this season, “is that he does a great job of not peaking in the backfield. He is timing routes, which means he is getting over the top of his routes, and playing over the top of the defenders. He’s able to make breaks on balls and tip balls.”

Hervoyavich, Turnbo, Neely, and Miller were each recently named to the All-SEMO Conference First Team on defense while Hill was a Second Team selection.

Offensively, the Bearcats will rely heavily on the return of Turnbo and sophomore Langston Werneck, who played a much more significant role than originally anticipated when senior Lee-Michael McDonald battled injuries this fall.

Turnbo averaged nearly nine yards per carry this season and caught 12 passes while Werneck averaged nearly six yards per carry and caught 10 passes.

Another threat offensively will be the continued development of sophomore tight end Elijah Ibriham (10 receptions).

The biggest piece of the offensive lineman to return will be then-senior Landon Annesser and then-junior Walker Jarrell.