TOUGH TASK
Dodgers can’t solve Spencer
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Reggie Pederson of Fort Dodge runs back the kickoff against Spencer on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Will McElroy of Fort Dodge runs for a first down against Spencer on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Reggie Pederson of Fort Dodge runs back the kickoff against Spencer on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Will McElroy of Fort Dodge runs for a first down against Spencer on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
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The Spencer football team had been quietly flying under the radar as a Class 4A, District 1 contender through the first five weeks of the season.
On Friday, the eighth-ranked (Bound) Tigers announced their presence with an impressive 29-0 road victory over No. 9 Fort Dodge.
Spencer (4-2 overall, 2-0 in the district) methodically churned out 268 rushing yards, 19 first downs and four touchdowns on the ground with its option offense, grinding the Dodgers down and out by winning up front. Head coach Jim Tighe's squad was just as dominant on the defensive side of the ball, pitching a surprising shutout by holding what had been a prolific FDSH offense - the top overall scoring team in 4A - well under 200 total yards.
"We couldn't afford to come out flat in a situation like this, but we did and simply put, got beat on both sides of the ball," Dodger head coach Nik Moser said. "It's my job to have them prepared and I didn't. I'll own this. It's on me.
"This is a sport of emotion and execution, and we didn't do either consistently enough. I'll take full responsibility. I thought Spencer played their best game of the season, so give them credit."
Senior fullback Temiloluwa Otaniyi was the bellcow for the Tigers, rushing 40 times for 164 yards to set the tone as the Tiger offensive line had its way at the point of attack. Quarterback Larson Vulk didn't have to throw much, but when he did, the junior completed all five of his passes for 67 yards. He added 62 more on the ground.
Spencer only had four rushing attempts that went over 10 yards, but the Tigers were running downhill all night long and Fort Dodge (4-2, 0-2) didn't have an answer. The three long scoring possessions by the visitors were 82 yards on 18 plays, 67 on 11 and 67 on 14.
Spencer had 62 snaps from scrimmage - including 32 before the Dodgers even reached 10 - and dominated the time of possession, as Fort Dodge finished at less than 40 total plays.
The Dodgers were out of sync with the ball all night. Standout quarterback Tru McBride completed only four passes and was intercepted three times after not getting picked off once through the first five contests of the year.
Senior Will McElroy had 18 carries for 81 yards to lead the way.
Senior Sam Moser and junior Amari McCaleb recovered fumbles for Fort Dodge, which got off to a promising start early when it forced a turnover and McBride hit junior Reggie Pederson for a 40-yard gain on first down. The drive stalled in the red zone without points, though, and the Tigers went right to work on their first 18-play TD march that chewed up over eight minutes on the clock.
The news wasn't good on the injury front for the Dodgers, either. Pederson missed the entire second half with a possible concussion. Moser got dinged up and had to leave for a few plays, as did junior defensive end Luke Beckley. Sophomore offensive lineman Max McQuillen reinjured his leg and did not return.
Fort Dodge now has its back against the wall and must win out to have any chance at a third consecutive postseason berth. The Dodgers face Storm Lake (1-5) on Friday for Homecoming, followed by a trip to Le Mars (3-3) and a home finale versus Sioux City West (4-2).