Submitted photo: Fort Dodge Rugby Club team members pose together in preparation for the 2024 season. The Stags play this Friday at West Des Moines Valley.

The Fort Dodge Rugby Club had a memorable 2023 campaign, reaching the state field and placing third for the first time in program history.

Head coach Tom McClimon recognizes his squad is in a bit of a transition period after graduating a large and talented senior class. The Stags aren’t backing down from the challenge of turning this into a season of reloading rather than just rebuilding, though.

“When you lose a group of seniors that we had last year, there is just a natural void in leadership,” said McClimon, who is in his sixth season at the helm. “At the start, I wasn’t sure who exactly was going to step up. But as the year has gone on, the team has really come together.

“We still have some work to do, and are still looking for a true leader on the field, but things are heading in the right direction.”

Fort Dodge opened its spring campaign with a split last Friday at Central Springs. The Stags defeated Waverly-Shell Rock, 17-12, and lost to Cedar Falls, 15-7.

A number of veteran players are bridging the gap, led by seniors Ty Adams, Isaiah Caldwell and Isaac Firsching; juniors Gavin Pederson and Carlos Elias; and sophomore Jesse Egli. Drayton Miller, Zeke Pineda and Bo Cowell are the other seniors.

“Ty is just a second-year player, but has really grown to love the game and does a great job for us on the pitch,” McClimon said. “Carlos has made great improvements since he started, and the fruits of his efforts are starting to pay off.

“Gavin is just a workhorse. He leads by example and is a physical force on the field. Caldwell brings immense knowledge of the game and has taken ownership of the team.”

Adams, Caldwell, Pederson and Elias have been game captains, but McClimon added, “everyone on the team has leadership roles and opportunities.”

“It has been fun to watch some of the older guys help lead the younger kids in what it means to be part of the Fort Dodge Rugby Club,” McClimon said. “We talk about protecting the crest at all times, and I think the group we have really encompasses that idea.”

McClimon believes Fort Dodge’s trademark toughness will again be on display in 2024.

“We probably aren’t the most athletic or the fastest, but we can make up for that by playing a physical brand of rugby,” McClimon said. “That’s something we’ve done a good job with (through the years). It’s my hope that people will always remember playing Fort Dodge, because we played the game right and we were physical.”

The Stags are far from a finished product. McClimon sees plenty of area that need to be shored up in the immediate future.

“We need to do a little better job of staying connected on defense to avoid overloads leading to big plays,” McClimon said. “We got burned a couple of times last year. Offensively, we need to work on finding our structure and moving the ball sideline to sideline. We also need (to recognize) when it’s time to go fast and when it’s time to slow down. All of those things will improve through better communication.”

Fort Dodge continues to embrace the rugby culture as it grows both the boys and girls programs.

“I think we are doing a good job,” McClimon said. “We added a women’s team, we have 30 kids out this year (on the boys’ side), and we are hoping to get a youth league going this summer. Those are all positive steps, but we are still looking to win a title.

“We got third last season, which was great, but we’re still working to get to the big game.”

In their opening matches, Elias, Adams, Pederson and Firsching had tries. Elias was 3-for-4 on conversion kicks.

The Stags face Valley at 6:50 p.m. and Southeast Polk at 8:10 p.m. on Friday in West Des Moines. Their home invitational is May 3.

McClimon is again assisted by Corey Peterman. Former players Dalton Rosalez, Keaton Nichols, Collin Munter and Orion Larson-Trott are also on the staff this spring.

2024 FORT DODGE STAGS RUGBY

Roster

Seniors — Drayton Miller, Ty Adams, Isaiah Caldwell, Zeke Pineda, Bo Cowell.

Juniors — Carlos Elias, Gavin Pederson, Quintin Jaeschke, Tyreese Hill, Quantaze Jordan, Brayden Reimers, Klay Baker, Tyler Jacklowsky, John Phan, Tate Balkenende, Aiden Behrends, Jesus Gutierrez.

Sophomores — Owen Stok, Jesse Egli, Drew Mason, Brennen Stickrod.

Freshmen — Korben Davis, Noah Essman, Kyle Pederson, Alex Beekman, Hunter Kasperbauer.

Schedule

April 5 — at West Des Moines Valley (vs. Valley, 6:50 p.m.; vs. Southeast Polk, 8:10 p.m.); 12 — at Ames (vs. Iowa City West, 6:50 p.m.; vs. Ankeny Centennial, 8:30 p.m.); 19 — at West Des Moines Valley (vs. Des Moines Roosevelt, 6 p.m.; vs. Urbandale, 8 p.m.); 26 — at Southeast Polk (vs. Ames, 5:40 p.m.; vs. Iowa City West, 7:40 p.m.).

May 3 — Fort Dodge Invitational (vs. Cedar Rapids Washington, 6:40 p.m.; vs. Des Moines Roosevelt, 8:40 p.m.).