Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge rugby players Sam Davidson (left), Hunter Kasperbauer (center) and Matthew Crimmins (right) celebrate during their rugby match at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

The Fort Dodge Stags continue to build a rugby legacy.

On Friday night inside Dodger Stadium, the Stags were playing in the state tournament for the sixth consecutive year. The squad finished sixth, losing to Cedar Falls in their final match, 22-20.

“The effort was awesome,” said Fort Dodge head coach Tom McClimon. “It was an unfortunate ending and we didn’t finish the match well.

“We were up the whole match, but just couldn’t finish it.”

The Stags have been in existence since 2019. They missed the first two state tournaments.

This was the first time in program history that the Stags hosted the state tournament inside the confines of Dodger Stadium.

“Sammy Davidson was the MVP,” McClimon said. “He had three tries and some big tackles.

“Jesse Egli had five tries.”

Fort Dodge lost their opener to Ankeny (19-7), but bounced back with a 29-14 victory over Urbandale to advance to the fifth place match.

“Our seniors battled their tails off all season and (Friday),” McClimon said. “This senior group did awesome and it was the first crew that played all four years.

“It’s just heartbreaking for them.”