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A dream come true for Bell

—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Brycen bell catches a pass for Fort Dodge against Cedar Rapids Kennedy this past season.

By DANA BECKER

sports@messengernews.net

From an early age, Brycen Bell knew he wanted to be a football player.

His successes with Fort Dodge Senior High helped provide him an outlet to continue that dream, signing with Augustana University for next year.

“The recruiting aspect was extremely exciting,” Bell said. “It’s been of dream of mine to play college football. It really was cool when teams started texting and emailing me about the possibility of playing for them. It was truly an awesome feeling knowing that others believed that I could play at the college level. I knew football was what I wanted to do since I was little, and it has always been my first love.

“I’m looking forward to growing as a person and as an athlete and meeting new teammates. I’m excited to get close to all the players and coaches, and traveling with the team.”

A multi-sport athlete with the Dodgers, Bell twice earned Class 4A all-district honors, including past fall after recording four interceptions and 20 tackles.

He returned two of his picks for touchdowns, adding two more scores as a wide receiver and three converted two-point attempts. Bell caught seven passes in all and recovered a fumble.

“Being a Dodger student and athlete has done more for me than I could have ever imagined,” Bell said. “Having great teachers has helped me get to where I am now. They have always been supportive even when I have had to miss class or with getting work caught up that I may have missed because of an event. Being a Dodger athlete has taught me to always work hard. Being from Fort Dodge, we knew that we were not always going to be the biggest or the fastest, but as a Dodger, we knew we would always work the hardest.”

Bell was a three-year letterwinner on the football field for FDSH, playing cornerback while also seeing time on offense. He will focus on the defensive secondary with the Vikings, who went 9-3 last year and advanced to the NCAA Div. II Playoffs.

Over the course of his Dodger career, Bell finished with 48 tackles, seven interceptions, 27 receptions, 576 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns, helping the team reach the state playoffs twice.

“I hope to be remembered as one of the best senior classes to walk through halls of Senior High,” he said. “Being the only group to bring back two trophies for state in football was big for us. As an all around group of the class of 2020, I believe that everyone worked hard and competed to the best of their ability.”

Bell was also a member of the Fort Dodge basketball team, recording 48 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals this past winter, and he is a key piece of the Dodger track squad. Bell has competed at state both his sophomore and junior seasons, securing a pair of Top-8 finishes as part of relays.

“I’ve had many influences throughout my sports career,” Bell said. “My parents were always my biggest supporters while also pushing me to be the best athlete I could possibly be. Coach (Matt) Miller has impacted my sports career in a huge way. He has always believed in me, not just in football, but in all the sports I have competed in as well as in the classroom and in life.”

He’ll look to conclude his prep career with the FDSH baseball program this summer. Bell hit .288 with 32 hits, 23 runs, 15 RBI and seven steals.

Along with remaining active in sports, Bell is also a member of the National Honor Society and has been on the honor roll throughout high school, receiving an Academic Letter for his efforts in the classroom.

Vacation destination:

Jamaica.

Person I would like to have dinner with: Martin Luther King Jr., Emmitt Smith and my grandpa that passed away.

My sports role model:

Coach (Matt) Miller.

My everyday role model: my mom, my dad and my grandma.

I can’t go a day without: doing something active.

Nickname: Bellman.

Superstition: I wear the same socks for every game.

Most heated rivalry: Mason City.

Favorite road trip: riding with Coach (Willie) Williams to state track.

What are you listening to right now? Drake and G Herbo.

Favorites…

Team: Iowa State Cyclones.

Class: Spanish.

Movie: Marvel series.

Book: “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas.

Phone app: Snapchat.

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