Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge’s Noah Daniel catches a pass from Tru McBride for a first down against North Polk Friday at Alleman. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

ALLEMAN — It would be easy for Fort Dodge football fans to turn the page and start looking ahead to 2025 after Friday’s Class 4A first-round playoff loss to top-ranked North Polk.

The Dodgers (7-3 overall) were a relatively young team this season, and despite last night’s 36-6 setback, there were plenty of encouraging signs moving forward with a group that should now return to form. to 17 starters next fall. .

FDSH head coach Nik Moser made sure the postgame scene — the trophy ceremony, his speech to the team and the individual conversations that followed — was strictly about his seniors. Moser has been around the game long enough to know that while his Dodgers have a bright future, all the respect and recognition after the finale had to stay in this moment.

“I owe a lot to these kids. We owe them (collectively) a lot,” » Moser said, winking at his 12th grade class. “There’s not a ton, but these kids gave it their all and really helped lay the foundation for what could be yet to come.”

“They did things the right way. They worked hard and showed what it took to support and trust each other. They expanded on what the (2023 seniors) did to improve our (collective) culture and our commitment. It’s about them. And I want to thank them for playing a big role in all of this and helping us get this far.

The Comets (10-0) remained undefeated thanks to a punishing ground attack and a physical defensive performance. The Dodgers held on as long as they could, but the dam finally broke when North Polk scored twice in the final 6:26 thanks to a number of backbreaking runs.

“We fought hard” » Moser said. “Defensively, we were very present on the pitch and did what we could for as long as possible. They are tough and controlled both the line of scrimmage and the clock. We just weren’t able to support enough travel.

Senior defensive end BJ Tate totaled 227 yards on 34 carries. Tate’s efforts were a microcosm of how the evening went; after being relatively contained for three periods, he totaled 104 yards on just seven carries in the fourth quarter. Two of his three touchdowns came in the final six minutes.

Forward Nathan Feldmann — 4A’s leader in total offense and touchdowns — added 109 rushing yards, although only 56 came after his opening 53-yard run in the first quarter. The quarterback scored twice in the first half, but was largely bottled up and completed just 7 of 18 passes for 119 yards.

Two plays didn’t necessarily change the outcome, but may have kept the final score more respectable than it ultimately was. Trailing 15-0 with the ball at midfield, FDSH punter Albert Myrvold was tackled on a kick attempt that should have been a personal foul and an automatic first down. The officials let it go and the Comets took over at their own 7-yard line. North Polk then drove 93 yards for a score that went up 22-0.

After the Dodgers finally broke the ice on a 17-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Tru McBride to junior Dalton Eckley on the ensuing possession, they were again in position to pull within two touchdowns when McBride hit Cal Pederson for what looked like a 26-yarder. TD strike. The play was negated by a holding flag that came well after McBride threw the ball.

Fort Dodge couldn’t get out of its way especially in the second half. The Dodgers, who had significantly reduced their penalties in recent weeks, committed seven violations in the final 24 minutes alone.

FDSH made five different trips to North Polk territory in total that ended with no points.

“We were our own worst enemy at times, but they did what they had to do (to achieve victory and advance),” » Moser said. “We will grow and learn from this.”

McBride threw for 180 yards, finding seven different Dodger receivers. However, standout fullback Jamarius Green was held in check, as the Comets attacked him and allowed just 34 yards on his 15 carries.

North Polk outscored Fort Dodge on the field, 366-53.

Senior Jonathan Brown intercepted a pass for the Dodgers, with junior Jesse Egli, senior Jesus Gutierrez and sophomore Jayon Preston-Grady recording big tackles for loss.

The Comets had eight plays of 20 yards or more, compared to just three for Fort Dodge: a 27-yard pass from McBride to Noah Daniel, a 30-yard pass to senior Royce Pederson and a 41-yard pass to Green.

North Polk, for all intents and purposes an Ankeny bedroom community whose enrollment has tripled in the past 20 years, was a 4A state semifinalist last year. The Comets will face Cedar Rapids Xavier in the quarterfinals this Friday.

The Dodgers will receive senior starters Green, Brown, Pederson, Gutierrez, Gavin Pederson, Jackson McQuillen, Hunter Richardson and Albert Myrvold. TyReese Hill, Kaden Froisland, Quantaze Jordan, Nathan Taylor, Brayden Reimers and Collin Tornabane were the other seniors.

“We will miss them” » Moser said. “They helped us get a (co-District 1 title), and we were back in the playoffs (for the first time since 2021). We worked well together and it’s hard to accept that it’s over. It was a tight-knit group and a lot of fun to coach.

“Losing hurts. It’s rubbish. Endings are difficult. Only one team can leave the football field at the end of a season with a victory. So it’s just a reality and something that gives you both appreciation and perspective. When we have some time and distance, I think the kids will be very proud of how far they have come from Week 1 to Week 10. I know the coaches and the community are very proud of them.

A large contingent of Dodgers fans filled the visiting side of the stands on this lively but beautiful November night.

FD NP

First attempts 12 22

Rushes-Yards 20-53 49-366

Pass 17-33-1 8-18-1

Passing yards 182 119

Total offense 235,485

Punts-Avg. 6-34.5 3-42.0

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 9-75 3-30

Fort Dodge 0 0 0 6 – 6

Northern Polk 8 7 7 14 – 36

Summary of scores

North Polk – Nathan Feldmann (9-yard run), 7:07 left in first quarter. BJ Tate runs.

North Polk – Feldmann (6-yard run), 7:02 left, second. Liam Triplett kicks.

North Polk – Tate (2-yard run), 1:07 left, third. Triple kick.

Fort Dodge – Dalton Eckley (17-yard pass from Tru McBride), 11:18 left, fourth. The kick failed.

North Polk – Tate (18-yard run), 6:36 left, fourth. Triple kick.

North Polk – Tate (18-yard run), 2:24 left, fourth. Triple kick.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – Fort Dodge: Jamarius Green 15-34, Tru McBride 4-17, Noah Daniel 1-2. North Polk: BJ Tate 34-227, Nathan Feldmann 10-109, Henry Christensen 5-30.

Passes – Fort Dodge: Tru McBride 16-32-1-180, Noah Daniel 1-1-0-2. North Polk: Nathan Feldmann 8-18-1-119, James Armstrong 0-0-0-0.

Receiving – Fort Dodge: Jamarius Green 4-52, Royce Pederson 2-35, Dalton Eckley 2-32, Noah Daniel 2-29, Tytrell Mosley 5-23, Cal Pederson 1-6, Kyree Rochon 1-5. North Polk: Jakob Phillips 5-77, Jake Hout 1-21, Henry Christensen 1-16, Carter Van Brocklin 1-5.