The first year of the Fort Dodge Gridiron Club (FDGC) was a huge success thanks to you, our founding members! The FDGC attracted ~80 members in its inaugural year and raised close to $20,000 that directly benefited our Fort Dodge Dodger football team. The FDGC along with the Dodger coaching staff identified three major areas where dollars raised would be applied.
Safety
Alongside the Fort Dodge Community School District, the FDGC was able to outfit all of our high school players in Guardian Caps. The two entities were able to purchase 100+ Guardian Caps. The Guardian Caps were worn by all athletes during practice and limited helmet-to-helmet contact along with wear and tear on helmets. The safety benefits were recognized immediately. No player suffered a concussion during practice the entire year. The Guardian Caps and how the Fort Dodge football coaches teach the game had an effect on this. Thank you to the Fort Dodge Community School District and our FDGC members for purchasing these for our student athletes!
Red Alternative Jerseys
Before the Homecoming game against Indianola, Fort Dodge unveiled new red alternative jerseys. The Dodgers have worn red jerseys in the past, but they had become tattered and torn. The new jerseys brought excitement and pride to the football players, and the Dodgers went on to win a thrilling overtime game (28-21) against a quality 4A-playoff opponent.
Technology
Technology associated with the game of football is always changing. One item that the FDGC and the Dodger coaches identified was the use of Go Route wearable scout cards. We were not able to purchase these for the 2019 season, but we do have the funds available to purchase them for the 2020 year. These wristbands will help practice become more efficient and help our Dodgers prep for all of their upcoming opponents.
Spirit Walk
The FDGC and the Dodger coaching staff introduced a new tradition to the Dodger game day experience. Before every home game this year the FDGC and other sponsors hosted a tailgate and Spirit Walk. Food from different Fort Dodge restaurants was donated, and The Bouncy House/National Guard provided obstacle courses for future Dodgers to enjoy. The football team was dropped off on 10th Ave N. and walked the alley to their locker room. They were welcomed by family, friends, and the Dodger faithful. The Spirit Walk brought a sense of community and pride to the Dodger football team. FDGC members worked the food tent and organized sponsors for the game day experience.
A special thank you to the following sponsors of the Spirit Walk:
• Taco Tico
• JaMars
• Rides Bar and Grill
• Lefti’s Bar and Grill
• Jeff and Jody Daniel
• Mark and Ellen McBride
Season Recap
The Dodger football team enjoyed success in 2019. They were ranked 11th in final RPI rankings by the IHSAA, and with the ranking they qualified for the playoffs. The 6-3 season gave them the opportunity to play the 5th-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy Cougars. The Dodgers and their fans made the two and a half hour trip to face a tough opponent. The game ended up being the last for many Dodger seniors, many of who were members of back-to-back playoff teams. The Dodgers final record would end at 6-4.
How It Happened
The first four non-district games saw the Dodgers play some familiar rivals and also a team that they were playing for just the second time ever. Week 1 opened against long-time rival Mason City. The Dodgers prevailed 65-0, bringing home the Decker Trophy for the 16th consecutive year. The Dodgers put on a show both offensively and defensively. Week 2 had the Dodger travel an hour south to take on former Big 8 and CIML rival, the Ames High Little Cyclones. The Little Cyclones were no match for the Dodgers. Fort Dodge won 42-7. This was the Dodgers 7th win in the last 9 meetings against Ames. Week 3 the Dodgers faced Indianola. The Dodgers and the Indians had an instant Homecoming classic inside Dodger Stadium. Fort Dodge would score on the first play of the first overtime and the defense would come up with goal line stand to secure the victory. Week 4 had Fort Dodge travel to Carroll to take on the Tigers, a new experience for the Dodgers. The Dodgers would complete a perfect 4-0 non-district schedule beating the Tigers 36-10.
District 4 ended up being one of the best districts in class 4A. The district would wind up having 4 playoff qualifiers and a 5th member having a winning record. The Dodgers opened up district play against Southeast Polk. The Dodgers never trailed to the 4A powerhouse until the final play of the game. They lost on a last second field goal to the Rams. Week’s 6 and 7 saw the Dodgers leave the friendly confines of Dodger Stadium to face the Des Moines Roosevelt Rough Riders and the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars. Mistakes were costly in the game against Roosevelt, and the Dodgers ultimately lost by two. The Jaguars overpowered the Dodgers the following week and dropped the Dodger record to 4-3. The final two weeks of the season were must-win games for Fort Dodge to qualify for the playoffs. Week 8 the Dodgers welcomed Sioux City West to Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers dominated the game and won 57-0. Week 9 was a showdown against two long-time rivals. The Marshalltown Bobcats came into Dodger Stadium with an identical 5-3 record. The winner of the game was guaranteed a playoff spot. The Dodgers won in gritty fashion 21-17.
What is the Next Step?
The FDGC will continue to grow, and we will be sending membership renewal information in the Spring of 2020. The dodgergridironclub.org website is up and running. Members are listed and investments the FDGC has prioritized are also located on the website. We’d love your assistance in recruiting former Dodger football players and Dodger fans everywhere to be members! Feel free to send this email along to others who may be interested in joining! The resources and pride that the Fort Dodge Gridiron Club has generated will continue to propel Fort Dodge Dodger football to new heights! We thank you once again for leading the way.
Proud to be Dodgers!
Fort Dodge Gridiron Club Board
Dodger Gridiron Club 