Senior Dru Ayala (120 pounds), junior Koy Davidson (138), senior Damarion Ross (175) and sophomore Dreshaun Ross (215) all won their quarterfinal matches on Friday, putting them in line for return state finals trips.

Senior Kane Butrick (132) and sophomore Luke Fierke (285) dropped tight quarterfinal matches and moved to the backside for the Dodgers. Senior Cal Hartman (190) stayed alive on the consolation side with two victories on Thursday.

Fort Dodge now has three or more semifinalists for the ninth time in 10 years. The Dodgers are currently in fifth place with 63 points. Southeast Polk (116.5) is first, followed by Bettendorf (99), Ankeny Centennial (77.5) and Indianola (65.5).

“The guys on the front side have to stay the course and do what they’re doing,” said FDSH head coach Bobby Thompson. “(Thursday) was a tough day to watch the guys on the backside, because that just makes it hard mentally. You have to wash that away and focus on what you’re doing.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Dreshaun Ross of Fort Dodge wrestles against Xavier Jean Ngoma during 3A quarterfinals on Thursday inside Wells Fargo Arena

Ayala (41-3), the third seed, dominated Bondurant-Farrar’s Reid Foster (27-8) by a 16-3 major decision.

The Dodger senior will now wrestle a long-time rival — No. 2 seed Jake Knight (33-1) of Bettendorf. The matchup is a repeat of last year’s 113-pound final, where Knight got the better of Ayala late.

“Every match is big in these brackets,” Thompson said. “You can’t overlook anybody, and now we’re down to the semifinals. There are three nationally ranked wrestlers (left at 120).

“Our guys have been here before. They’re not in uncharted waters. We’ve seen Knight a lot. We have to make some small changes and then weather the storm.”

Davidson (40-2), the second seed and a 2022 state finalist, rolled past Waverly-Shell Rock’s Zane Behrends, 11-4. Davidson was fourth last year.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Koy Davidson of Fort Dodge wrestles Waverly-Shell Rock Zane Behrends during 2A quarterfinals on Thursday inside Wells Fargo Arena

The semifinal round offers a match against No. 3 Kael Kurtz (26-3) of Iowa City High.

“Koy is 2-0 against him and they’ve been close matches,” Thompson said. “This (138) is another incredibly deep weight. These guys are pretty familiar with each other.”

Damarion Ross (40-4) came up clutch in his 175-pound quarterfinal. Ross trailed 3-2 against No. 7 seed Braxten Westendrof (29-8) of Waverly-Shell Rock before getting an escape with two seconds left to send it to overtime.

With 13 seconds left in overtime, Ross got a takedown and held on for a 5-3 victory. Now on tap for the senior is 14th-seed Dax Clatt (33-13) of Indianola, who upset sixth-seed Jackson Winkey of Ames in the quarters and No. 3 Antonio Loving of Southeast Polk in the second round.

“Damarion came up clutch,” Thompson said. “We went back to the center and he escaped. He had a huge takedown late to send him to the semifinals.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Dru Ayala of Fort Dodge wrestles against Bondurant-Farrar Reid Foster during 2A quarterfinals on Thursday inside Wells Fargo Arena

Dreshaun Ross (45-0) once again dominated his match, pinning ninth-seeded Jean Ngoma (37-10) of Cedar Rapids Xavier in 2:58.

“Dreshaun is very impressive and has been extremely focused,” Thompson said. “He is really invested in how the team is doing top to bottom.”

Ahead of Ross is No. 4 Vincenzo Lima (31-2) of Iowa City Liberty.

“I’ve been focusing on myself and my teammates — not the external factors. Control the controllables,” Ross said. “I wouldn’t be in the position I am right now without my teammates, so I’m thankful to have them in my corner.”

Butrick (36-8) gave top-seeded Jayce Luna a tough fight in their 132 pound quarterfinal. Butrick pulled within 5-4 with a reversal late in the third, but Luna had one of his own for a 7-4 victory.

Butrick will now compete against fourth-seeded Justis Jesuroga (24-8) of Southeast Polk on the consolation side.

“Kane’s match was tough,” Thompson said. “He was right there. We just needed to change some things up.”

Fierke (34-10), the No. 5 seed, went toe-to-toe with fourth-seeded Drew Campbell (28-3) of Cedar Falls. Fierke was right there with Campbell the entire match, eventually losing 4-3 to the University of Iowa football recruit.

Now up for Fierke is ninth-seeded Jaxson Boyd (33-11). Fierke has a fall over Boyd from the state dual tournament to his credit.

“Luke is still figuring things out as just a sophomore,” Thompson said. “He’s had some opportunities, but just couldn’t quite get it done.”

After a disappointing loss in Wednesday’s opening-round action, Hartman (35-11) bounced back with two victories. Hartman pinned Clear Creek-Amana’s Ethan Williams (36-16) in 1:41 and won a 5-3 decision over Zander Wedemeier (29-16) of Waverly-Shell Rock.

Now on tap for Hartman is No. 8 Kolby Gibbons (17-3) of Johnston.

“Cal is wrestling well. He knows he had a disappointing opening round, but he’s battling back,” Thompson said. “We have two kids that we can beat…we just have to go out and do it and then keep climbing medal spots.”

Fort Dodge lost four wrestlers on the backside, but all are underclassmen.

Freshman Trace Rial (26-24) lost to Valley’s George-Grant Mavromatis, 8-2 at 106 pounds. Sophomore Sam Davidson (19-12) fell versus Des Moines East’s Camron Bennett by fall at 126 pounds.

“On the backside, it’s about who wants it more,” Thompson said. “You have to go out and fight or you’ll end up in the funnel cake line.

“Your opponent will easily sniff that out…it’s unforgiving and they’ll take you out.”

Sophomore Rylee Brown (27-23) was pinned by Johnston’s Parker Casey at 144. Classmate Jesse Egli (29-23) was pinned by Ankeny’s Teagen Peiffer.

“The three guys on the back just have to keep fighting,” Thompson said. “You think you’re a little sore and you’re mentally struggling, but everyone is. It’s about who is tougher.”

Class 3A semifinal action begins at 1:30 p.m. on Friday inside Wells Fargo Arena.

FORT DODGE STATE SEMIFINAL MATCHES

120: No. 3 Dru Ayala (41-3) vs. No. 2 Jake Knight (33-1)

138: No. 2 Koy Davidson (40-2) vs. No. 3 Kael Kurtz (26-3)

175: No. 2 Damarion Ross (40-4) vs. No. 14 Dax Clatt (33-13)

215: No. 1 Dreshaun Ross (45-0) vs. No. 4 Vincenzo Lima (31-2)