Dodgers Sawyer Miller finds some good running room. Photo by Heather Olson.
Goal #1 was to rush for 300 yards.
Goal met.
Eight Dodger running backs combined to rush for 304 yards and earn the first win of the season in a SWC test with Brodhead/Juda 32-6.
Two of the scores came on the ground, one through the air and one was the result of a key defensive pick six.
Freshman Finley Olson ran for 116 of the 304 on 11 carries, averaging over 20 yards per lug. He got into the end zone twice.
Junior Sawyer Miller added 76 on nine carries. Griffin Busch picked up 52 on six tries, Elliot Jorenby 45 on five attempts with Karter McGraw and Even Ensrude gaining 18 and four for the total.
There is a good reason the Dodgers were so successful on the turf.
“We have been working hard on our understanding of the scheme and, more importantly, the details within it,” head coach Matt Staver said. “When you combine that better understanding with stronger second-half execution, a lot of effort and physicality, you can have a night like we did. The kids set a goal this week to rush for 300 yards, and they went out and accomplished it.”
Playing off that philosophy sophomore quarterback Karter McGraw went through the lanes three times but struck paydirt on one of his tosses. That was a six yard flip to receiver Blake Stodola who took it into the end zone.
“Our offense is primarily runfirst, but we have to be opportunistic when we do throw the football,” Staver said. “As teams continue to commit more players to stopping the run, it opens things up in the passing game. We were able to take advantage of one of those opportunities with the touchdown pass, and it was a big play for us at the right time.”
The fourth score came on an interception near midfield by Busch who ran it in from the 33. It was the back breaker for the Cardinals who never recovered.
“Griffin’s interception was a game-changing play and gave us some great momentum,” Staver said. “Our defense as a whole played with more inspiration and urgency and did a good job of holding their offense down for most of the night. We are still working to eliminate big plays and make sure we are consistently sound in our responsibilities, while continuing to play aggressive and fast.”
After two tough losses to open the season Staver knew it was time to up the mental part of the game.
“We spent some extra time together as a team and with our leadership group this week to make sure we were all on the same page and working toward the same goals,” Staver pointed out. “The kids really came together with a positive mindset and took ownership of what we needed to do. You could see that carry over onto the field. There was a lot of energy, communication and support for one another, and that was really encouraging to see.”
The Dodgers are aiming to take that further as the season progresses.
“We are working hard and trying to stay focused on getting better every day,” Staver said. “We know we have a lot of football ahead of us. The challenge now is to build on this performance, continue improving our execution and consistency, and understand that every week presents a new opportunity to get better.”
Friday night lights take the Dodgers down the hill to Spring Green to face River Valley and Staver expects a challenge.
“The Blackhawks will give us everything they have,” Staver predicts. “They graduated a large group of players from last year’s team, so they have a young but talented group this season. We know we will have to be ready to play when we travel down there. It’s a road game against a good football team, and we will need to have a great week of preparation and play with the same energy and focus we showed Friday night.”
