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Dodgers host Roosevelt

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Brycen Bell of Fort Dodge attempts an interception against Carroll on Friday

The biggest fourth-quarter comeback in the 110-plus year history of Fort Dodge Senior High football has the Dodgers riding a wave of momentum into Friday’s Homecoming contest against Des Moines Roosevelt.

Head coach Matt Miller knows that everything his squad earned in a thrilling 22-21 victory over the Rams could all be taken away, though, if FDSH isn’t ready physically and mentally for the Roughriders.

Varsity kickoff in this Class 4A, District 2 contest is set for 7 p.m. inside Dodger Stadium.

Fort Dodge is 4-1 overall with a world of opportunity suddenly ahead. A potential home showdown with third-ranked Ankeny Centennial looms on the horizon next week, which could carry huge playoff implications and ultimately help determine district supremacy.

But the Jaguars are the last thing on Miller’s mind. He expects his Dodgers to stay zoned in on Roosevelt (2-3, 1-0) and no one else.

“We’re not good enough to just show up, go through the motions and beat anyone on our schedule,” Miller said. “We have to fight for every inch on that field. In the fourth quarter (last week against the Rams), that’s exactly what we did (in erasing an 18-point deficit in the final seven-plus minutes).

“We can’t let this become one of those classic ‘trap’ games, though: coming off an emotional rally and knowing what we have next week with (the Jaguars). All of our emotion and strength has to go into this game and this game only.”

Fort Dodge’s thrilling victory at Southeast Polk marked the first time in the school’s nearly 1,000-game record books that the Dodgers erased a deficit of more than 17 points in the fourth quarter. Miller’s squad outscored the Rams in the final period, 19-0, and outgained them in total yardage, 238-59.

Senior quarterback Drake Miller hit diving sophomore tailback Dayson Clayton in the end zone from nine yards out as time expired to give FDSH the walk-off win.

Miller leads the entire state — all classes included — in completions (114), attempts (187) and yardage (1,661). His favorite targets have been junior Tysen Kershaw (42 receptions for 655 yards), junior Brycen Bell (17-381), junior Russell Potratz (18-254) and Clayton (16-175), who had a number of clutch catches last Friday to help the Dodgers fight back.

Clayton has rushed for 522 yards and seven touchdowns.

Fort Dodge’s defense, meanwhile, is allowing only 15.8 points and 270 total yards per game — a vast improvement from the numbers they put up a year ago. The Dodgers have outscored their opponents in the second half this season, 92-28, and specifically in the fourth quarter, 56-14.

“Our defense has been really solid; I think they give us confidence and an identity. They play with an attitude,” coach Miller said. “I’m still waiting for us to put it all together on the same night. We’ve been steady and consistent defensively, but we still need to create more turnovers. And our offense has to find a better rhythm.

“We still have a lot to clean up and plenty of room to improve.”

Roosevelt, which defeated Sioux City West in its district opener last week, has a talented back of its own in senior Desmond Alexander (610 rushing yards, five TDs).

“Alexander is a top back,” Miller said. “They definitely have some athletes who we have to try and contain. And (Clarence) Williams (a 6-foot-3 junior) is a handful at defensive end.”

The Dodgers are 13-5 in Homecoming contests since 2000, which includes a current five-game winning streak.

“We do our best to avoid all of the extra stuff and potential distractions. Once we’re here (at the stadium), it’s all business,” Miller said. “I know it sounds simple, but we really have to take it one game at a time. The only record that matters is 1-0, and the only team we’re concerned about is Roosevelt.”

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