Dodgers travel to Marshalltown - Fort Dodge Messenger
MARSHALLTOWN - The Fort Dodge football team can stake their claim to a unique piece of school history here tonight.
The Dodgers' opponent, Marshalltown, is an old hand at rewriting the record books in 2011.
Head coach Matt Miller's squad will attempt to secure the program's first unbeaten road campaign in 66 years this evening at Leonard Cole Field when Fort Dodge (3-4 overall, 2-1 in the CIML Iowa Conference) visits the Bobcats (5-2, 1-2) for a 7:30 p.m. varsity kickoff.
The Dodgers haven't completed an undefeated regular season away from home since 1945, and while their overall record is currently a game under the break-even mark, there are a slew of other motivating factors pushing Miller's ballclub heading into this contest. A victory would not only keep FDSH's flawless road slate intact, but also guarantee the visitors a postseason contest in the upcoming Class 4A playoffs.
In addition, the Dodgers are still - for all intents and purposes - contending for the league championship. A win tonight would afford Fort Dodge a chance to officially defend its conference crown next week in the home finale against top-ranked West Des Moines Valley.
''We have a lot on our plate - plenty of opportunities are in front of us starting with this trip,'' Miller said. ''It's going to take a tremendous effort, but we're really looking forward to it. This should be a very entertaining game.''
The 44th meeting between the schools features the top two passing offenses in 4A. Marshalltown has thrown for a state-best 2,800 yards - or exactly 400 yards per contest - to date, while the Dodgers have accumulated 1,626 yards of their own through the air.
The Bobcats have attempted 293 passes - nearly 42 a week - while FDSH again ranks second to them in 4A at 209 and 29.9, respectively.
''I honestly think this is the most explosive offensive they've had at Marshalltown, which includes their state runner-up team (of 2009),'' Miller said. ''(Junior quarterback Blake) Gimbel has been incredibly accurate and efficient given it's his first year of varsity ball, and the Steffensen brothers (senior Ty and junior Tad) are as good as any they've had in the slot. You're talking about kids with 4.4, 4.5 speed who know how to get open and make big things happen.''
Gimbel has already cleared the 500-yard mark twice this fall, including a state-record 563-yard performance in a 63-41 win at Sioux City East on Sept. 16. He shredded Ames a week ago with 520 yards and three scores in a 56-19 rout, becoming the only quarterback in Iowa history to eclipse 500 yards twice in a single season.
The 6-foot-4 Gimbel is 177 of 288 for 2,753 yards and 26 scores. Ty Steffensen has 69 catches for 963 yards and 10 touchdowns; Tad is at 47 for 744 and six TDs, thanks in large part to his state-record 305-yard performance last Friday night.
''The key to defending them is keeping their receivers in front of you,'' Miller said. ''It's obviously easier said than done given the numbers, but so many of their receiving yards come after the catch.
''You have to mix things up and give them different looks. If you let Gimbel sit back in the pocket and you try to zone them, he'll just pick you apart. We have to control the clock as much as possible and not give up the big plays. I'm not saying we won't put the ball in the air too, but we can't get into an all-out shootout with them.''
FDSH senior quarterback Sam Edwards (1,618 yards, 12 touchdowns) and receiver Isaac Lehman (42 catches, 744 yards, 8 TDs) continue to rank among the best in the state and school history for a single season. Lehman broke the Dodgers' one-year record for receptions in a 33-17 home loss to Waukee last Friday.
Fort Dodge will be without the services of senior captain Dillon Christensen, who is nursing an injured ankle. Christensen is the team's leading rusher, tackler and punter.
Lehman (hip pointer), linebacker Cole Jarrard (mild concussion) and fullback Tommy Halligan (ribs) all missed practiced time this week.
''We're still pretty beat up, and for the first time, it's really affecting our lineup,'' Miller said. ''It's going to be hard to go without Dillon, but we'll adjust.''
The Dodgers have already beaten Des Moines East, Ames and Mason City on the road this year. Miller admitted ''this will be by far our toughest challenge to date, though.''
''It's just been a very focused group when we get into the road routine,'' Miller said. ''Some teams are like that. They're in a more controlled environment and away from some of the distractions you might see at home.''
He then laughed and added, ''I thought about getting a school bus, loading them up and driving to Pocahontas and back before last week's (Homecoming) game (at Dodger Stadium).''
Marshalltown leads the all-time series with FDSH, 23-19-1. The programs have met on the gridiron every season since 1967 with the exception of the 1991 campaign.
Last year, the Dodgers beat the Bobcats 38-17 on their way to dethroning them from the league's championship perch. The matchup has produced a number of close calls recently, with eight games decided by a single possession since 1999.
Contact Eric Pratt at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net
14 Oct, 2011--
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