Fort Dodge’s home finale vs. Le Mars
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Regardless of what the future may hold for Fort Dodge, Friday night's home finale carries the same significance to head coach Nik Moser's football squad.
The Dodgers (4-4 overall, 2-2 in Class 4A, District 1) aren't worried about playoff scenarios or hypotheticals if they defeat No. 10 Le Mars (5-3, 2-2). They know full well where they stand, and that a postseason berth as a 4A wild-card is a long shot -- even with a win.
"Our focus first and foremost -- and really our only focus -- is on having one more chance to play at Dodger Stadium," Moser said. "It's something you'll look back on and always remember. We have no idea if a (victory) will be good enough to get us in. It's not likely, but we haven't been completely written off, either.
"If you go back almost 30 years (since 1994), we've only had back-to-back winning seasons three times (2009 and '10, 2014 and '15, 2018 and '19). So these seniors have an opportunity to accomplish something that doesn't happen here very often (FDSH was 7-3 last fall). We just want to make the most of one more guaranteed game, knowing it's the last time the seniors in particular will be on our field."
Fort Dodge is riding momentum from impressive back-to-back performances against Storm Lake (50-17 win) and Denison-Schleswig (28-7). Senior quarterback Connor Carver has taken his game to a new level during that stretch, throwing for 420 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 206 more and two scores.
Carver now ranks third all-time in passing (3,913 yards) and second in touchdowns (40) at FDSH. Even more impressive is the fact that Friday is only the Bemidji State University recruit's 19th career start.
Carver even recorded four sacks last week against the Monarchs from his outside linebacker spot -- a role he hadn't filled at all until a few weeks ago.
"He's been so good and tough to stop," Moser said. "Connor feels that sense of urgency. He's making the most of this (stretch run). But he'd also be the first to tell you our play up front (on the offensive and defensive lines) has helped make this happen. We were as good (in the trenches) as we've been all year (last Friday).
"We maybe didn't have our most explosive game statistically on either side of the ball, but it was our best overall effort top to bottom. And that's a credit to everyone: our linemen have been more consistent, our linebackers have been active, our backs and receivers have been blocking well…this is a team sport. It takes everyone."
Carver has thrown for 1,568 yards and 20 TDs, while running for 480 more with five scores. He is currently third in touchdowns, third in passing TDs and third in overall offensive yards for Class 4A.
Fellow senior all-stater Javion Jondle ranks first in total receptions (54), third in receiving touchdowns (9) and fourth in receiving yards (656) for 4A. Jondle, an Iowa Central recruit, is 57 yards away from 2,000 in his career. He's third in receiving yards, second in touchdowns and third in receptions among all-time Dodger wideouts.
Senior defensive end Kaleb Lynch is second in tackles for loss and fifth in tackles among 4A leaders. Junior Grant Williams has caught six TD passes, while senior Orion Larson-Trott has rushed for 498 yards and six scores at 5.6 yards per attempt.
Lynch, senior Tucker Pederson, junior Drew Moritz and freshman Dreshaun Ross are team leaders in tackles.
The Bulldogs stunned No. 9 Spencer last week, 38-28, handing the Tigers their first district loss.
"They made a lot of things happened with 17 points off of forced turnovers," Moser said of Le Mars. "They're dangerous when they hit big-yardage plays, which they did (versus) Spencer, so we have to guard against that."
Junior quarterback Teagen Kasel has thrown for 1,076 yards and eight touchdowns. He's only been picked off three times.
Senior all-district tailback and linebacker Elijah Dougherty has rushed for 509 yards with five scores, while Connor Jalas (25 catches, 346 yards) and Sione Fifita (21 for 339) are top receiving threats.
"Dougherty is really good -- a playmaker on both sides of the ball," Moser said. "Jalas is a swiss army knife; he's everywhere (on offense and defense). Fifita is a deep threat.
"They're a really solid ballclub. You have to be to win a game like they did (over Spencer last Friday). And they know that a win will get them in (the playoff field as a wild-card team)."