—Submitted photo/Minnesota State sports information Jake Porter (73), a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, gets ready to hike the ball for Minnesota State earlier this season.

Jake Porter had never missed a football game, dating all the way back to his early days in high school.

So when the Fort Dodge Senior High graduate was in street clothes for top-ranked (NCAA Div. II) Minnesota State’s game against Wayne State on Saturday for senior day, Porter had resigned himself to the fact that his streak was about to come to an end.

Or would it?

Porter suffered a high ankle sprain the previous week against Winona State, and planned on watching the contest from the sidelines. With the Mavericks clinging to a 27-20 lead late in the third quarter, back-up center Sam Schrauth — who was filling in for Porter — went down with an injury.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner looked at Porter — his senior leader — and the decision was made.

“I went to check on Sam and see what was wrong with his knee,” said Porter, who graduated from FDSH in 2014. “Coach looked at me and said ‘If you had to go, could you?’ I ran back to the locker room with the trainer, put all my gear on and got into the game as quickly as I could. I played into the fourth quarter until we got up by 13, and then the third-string center game in for me.

“It was one of those freak accidents. I’d never missed a game in my career, and then this happens to keep the streak alive in kind of an unusual way.”

Porter was a standout for the Dodgers as a three-year varsity starter, then moved on to play for perennial NJCAA power Iowa Western. Porter was on the frontline for the Reivers when they started 11-0 and lost in the championship game his freshman year. In his sophomore season at IWCC, they reeled off 10 straight victories after an 0-2 start and finished with a Graphic Edge Bowl trophy.

Porter chose Minnesota State to continue his career after the 2015 season.

“After the end of my sophomore season and the Graphic Edge Bowl, I went on a bunch of different visits,” Porter said. “Minnesota State has a winning tradition, and I wanted to win a championship.

“Both (Iowa Western and Minnesota State) know how to win. It’s expected. The offenses are different, with a quick no-huddle at Iowa Western and pro-style at Minnesota State, but the goal was the same: win a championship.”

Porter has been in the middle of the Mavericks’ offensive line for the past two seasons and has enjoyed a continued run of success. Minnesota State recently moved into the No. 1 position in the AFCA national poll.

“When I was at Iowa Western we were ranked No. 1 as well, so I know a huge target comes with that,” Porter said. “It’s exciting, but we want to win it all, so we can’t get wrapped up in (regular-season rankings).”

With a current 10-game win streak and his consecutive appearance run intact, Porter knows all about reliability. He comes by it honestly.

“My family and parents (Paul and Ann) have never missed a game throughout my career,” Porter said. “It’s unbelievable. I’m very blessed and fortunate to have such a strong support system. It’s not easy to go away from home and go to college; having my family supporting me has helped make (the transition) a lot easier.”

Porter was a first team all-district selection for the Dodgers during both his junior and senior years, and was a third team all-state pick as a senior. He also played in the Shrine Bowl.

“Coach Miller was a great influence on me both on and off the field,” Porter said. “My offensive line coach at Iowa Western, Dane Wardenburg, always got us dialed in. He kept us up to speed on technique stuff; he reminded us that every little thing matters. I learned so much more in just my first two weeks at Iowa Western.

“My offensive line coach (at MSU), Collin Prosser, is tremendous. He helps us take it to the next level. Those three coaches have really impacted me, as well as my dad. He’s always been there for me and helped push me.”

Get to Know

Nickname: Port.

What skills position would you play: Tight end (they have the best of both worlds).

Favorite offensive call: Running inside zone.

Phone app: Twitter.

Who would you like to have dinner with? My paternal grandfather.