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SPENCER -- Regardless of what happens here on Friday night, Fort Dodge football coach Nik Moser has already deemed the 2024 season a success.
Why?
"I don't think any of us want it to end," Moser said. "And that's a great sign. It's flown by. It feels more like Week 6 than Week 9. Sometimes you have seasons that drag, and the whole thing has kind of run its course by now. But this has been a really fun year, and we're hoping it continues beyond (the final regular season game)."
In order for that to happen, the Dodgers (6-2 overall, 3-1 in Class 4A, District 1) must either defeat No. 8 Spencer (6-2, 4-0) to clinch the league title and an automatic bid into the playoffs, or let the RPI system ultimately determine their fate as an at-large postseason contender.
Kickoff between FDSH and the Tigers is set for 7 p.m. at Dale Norton Field.
Moser's squad currently sits at No. 13 in the RPI rankings, and 16 teams will be in the 4A playoff field. The Dodgers wouldn't be eliminated with a loss to the Tigers, per se, but they would be on shaky ground -- at best -- waiting for official pairings over the weekend.
"Ideally we wouldn't want to leave it up to chance," Moser said. "I think the key when you play Spencer is pretty basic: you have to be able to run the ball and stop the run. They're obviously a really solid football team and very tough on both sides of the ball. We'll have to execute, be consistent and mistake free."
Spencer is anchored by two-way standout Miles Robbins, a three-year all-district player who has an offer from Drake on the table. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder has rushed for 668 yards and seven touchdowns. He is also one of the defensive leaders for head coach Jim Tighe's Tigers.
Senior quarterback Cael Bruening, another returning starter, has thrown for 476 yards and eight scores. Spencer, which is 7th in the current RPI standings, has only attempted 65 passes all year, compared to 343 rushes at nearly six yards per carry.
"They're a program that likes to just line up and wear you down," Moser said. "We have to be able to match their physicality at (the point of attack)."
Senior linebacker Jack Berends is big and active like Robbins at 6-3 and 200. The Tigers have only allowed 22 total points during their five-game winning streak, while scoring 189.
Fort Dodge senior tailback Jamarius Green is third in 4A with 1,140 rushing yards -- the eighth-best single-season output in program history. Green is also fourth in yards from scrimmage, and fifth in TDs on the ground.
Sophomore quarterback Tru McBride has thrown for 1,256 yards and 17 scores. Junior Tytrell Mosley (347 yards), junior Noah Daniel (325), Green (217) and junior Dalton Eckley (201) all have over 200 yards receiving.
Junior Jesse Egli and sophomore Jayce Skow are FDSH's top overall tacklers. Senior Jonathan Brown leads the way in tackles for loss.
"This is what you play for," Moser said. "Our team has earned this opportunity, and now, we need to go out and make the most of it."