Dodger Finley Olson carries a Platteville tackler on this gain. Photo by Heather Olson.
The Dodgeville football team showed flashes of what they can become against league leading Platteville Friday but the Hillmen found the gear they needed and won the SWC battle 42-22.
The Dodgers grabbed an early lead and had a 14-6 advantage but then the little things of the game went against them and the game turned in favor of the Hillmen. The Dodgers had some chances but they lost the ball twice that killed drives in good field position and the Hillmen capitalized.
“We jumped out to a 14-6 lead and created some opportunities, but we did not sustain enough drives in the second half. The two turnovers in or near Platteville territory were especially costly,” coach Matt Staver said.
The Hillmen had played their past 5 1/2 games without starting quarterback Brody Digman but he was activated against the Dodgers and was a difference maker to say the least. Digman ran for 179 yards on 13 carries, a 12.8 average per lug and crossed the goal line three times. He also threw for 105 yards, completing nine of 19 attempts with two leading to scores. William Zielinski and Bradley Rupp were the benefactors of Digman’s throws.
Leandro Carlos Moguel also figured into the scoring with six extra points.
Staver felt having Digman back was a big plus for the Hillmen.
“Digman showed why he was one of the top returning players in the conference,” Staver pointed out. “He does a great job running their offense and making the proper read.”
While Digman was a force there were other factors that led to Platteville’s win.
“Platteville’s success also came from its ability to control possession, run nearly twice as many offensive plays and consistently extend drives,” said Staver.
To Dodgeville’s credit they did put up 22 points against a good team. Freshman Finley Olson drew a lot of attention from the Hillmen but he still found a way to score twice and grind out 48 yards. Karter McGraw, sophomore QB, stepped in for the third Dodger touchdown.
Griffin Busch was the leader in yards gained as he picked up 56 on nine carries. Harper Olson added 32 on six tries.
Blake Stodola added a two point conversion to figure into Dodgeville’s scoring. Two more points came on a safety.
Staver notes that the offense has been consistent and hopes to see the Dodgers take another step.
“Our offense has improved in its execution and its ability to capitalize on opportunities, but the next step is being more consistent, protecting the football and staying on the field,” he said.
McGraw was three for eight passing with completions to Jaxon Jabs, Stodola and Harper Olson.
Defensively Jabs recovered a fumble and Jayce Halverson picked off a Digman pass.
Busch had the most tackles with 13, five solo. Braxton Staver had 11 stops, three solo, and Jabs had seven, also with three solo.
Staver used the win or learn concept and feels the Dodgers know what they have to do to improve.
“The biggest takeaway is that we need to play better complementary football, Staver said. “Defensively, we have to create more stops and limit extended drives. Offensively, we need to sustain possessions and avoid costly turnovers.”
He feels the team is on the right track.
“The kids continue to work hard, and the effort is there, but we have room to improve in all three phases.” Friday will be a big night for both the Dodgers and the Flying Arrows from Lancaster. The winner will remain in contention for a spot in the post season. The Dodgers will be tasked with stopping Arrow QB Toay Ragatz who was dominating in last
“We expect to see a confident and improving Lancaster team,” Staver predicts. “Ragatz’s big game against River Valley shows that we will need to be disciplined, tackle well and prevent explosive plays. Lancaster will challenge us to play physical football and execute for four quarters. This game is essentially a playoff game for both teams so we expect it to be a battle.”
