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Jackson in charge for FD boys

Messenger photo by Chris Johnson Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge boys soccer team include, front row (left to right): Colton DeLanoit, David Karissa, Cole Allison, Cole Savery and A.J. Ruge. Back: Jackson Thompson, Isaac Lursen, Daniel Dooley, Kyle Zeka, Justin Schild and Brady Read. Not pictured: Connor Allison.

When a new head coach takes over a program, it usually requires a period of adjustment for the new leadership.

For the Fort Dodge boys soccer team, the transition will be relatively seamless.

Former assistant coach Joe Jackson has moved into the lead position in place of Pablo Rodriguez, who stepped down following the 2016 campaign. Jackson, 1979 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, was an assistant for three years under Rodriguez, and has also served as an assistant for the Iowa Central men’s program. He has been involved in the youth ranks for 16 years as well.

“I’m really excited to be working with these guys again,” Jackson said. “Pablo was a great head coach, and we built a strong relationship as a staff with these kids.

“The transition has been great, because the kids know me and know how I do things. They’re well aware of what I’m going to expect.”

Jackson will have a large number of upperclassmen to work with, led by 13 seniors and eight juniors. The Dodgers were 5-13 a year ago.

“We have a lot of seniors and great experience on the varsity side,” Jackson said. “Our senior group brings a lot of leadership to the table. They’ll show the ropes to the other guys.

“They’ve been in the weight room and running and are continuing to grow. When guys are seniors, you see that different mentality and sense of urgency.”

Senior Cole Allison and junior Cole Savery returning as the leading goal scorers for the Dodgers. Classmates Connor Allison, Brady Read and AJ Ruge had two goals each for the Dodgers. Junior Daniel Dooley also scored last spring.

A top priority for FDSH will be finding a new goal keeper. After the graduation of Michael Von Bank, the Dodgers are in a period of change at the net.

In the mix will be senior Justin Schild, junior Damion Chavez and freshman Jonathon Madden.

“We are working on that,” Jackson said. (Assistant) coach (Danny) Zach is getting them ready to go, so that they can hit the field with confidence.

“We also have a couple of foreign exchange students that will be playing and will be solid additions.”

The CIML will once again offer the best competition in the state, according to Jackson.

“The teams we face have kids that play soccer all year long,” Jackson said. “They play club ball and are very talented. So we have to have determined focus against those teams. Their skill level is pretty high, so we have to put in a higher level of effort.”

The Dodgers open the season on Thursday when they host defending state champion West Des Moines Valley at 7:30 p.m. inside Dodger Stadium. The Tigers were 22-1 overall in 2016.

ROSTER

Seniors — Cole Allison, Connor Allison, Joanan Arellano, Marco Fumagalli, Luis Garcia, Brady Read, A.J. Ruge, Houssem Saafi, Olti Sallauka, Justin Schild, Derek Sebring, Jackson Thompson, Roman Valverde.

Juniors — Damion Chavez, Colton DeLanoit, Daniel Dooley, Angel Guitron, Zach Hamilton, Isaac Lursen, Cole Savery, Kyle Zeka.

Sophomores — Jacob Cook, Skylar Edgerton, David Karisa, Alex Pudenz, Noah Rosalez.

Freshmen — Max Angeles, Max Bacon, Jorge Blanco, Edward Gilbert, Jonah Hindt, Ethan Lursen, Jonathon Madden, Nathanial Madden, Logan McIlrath, Ethan Recker, Hoo Won, Joshua Wunder.

SCHEDULE

March 30 — West Des Moines Valley, 7:30 p.m.

April 4 — at Ames, 7 p.m.; 11 — at Humboldt, 5 p.m.; 15 — at Waterloo Invitational; 18 — Des Moines East, 5 p.m.; 21 — at Des Moines Roosevelt, 4:45 p.m.; 25 — at Marshalltown, 7:30 p.m.; 27 — Dowling, 7:30 p.m.

May 2 — at Mason City, 4:45 p.m.; 5 — Des Moines Lincoln, 7:30 p.m.; 6 –. at Waverly-Shell Rock Tournament, 9 a.m.; 8 — Urbandale, 7:30 p.m.; 12 — at Johnston, 7:30 p.m.; 16 — Ankeny, 7:30 p.m.

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