Sawyer Miller turns the corner with Briggz Hutson blocking in front of him. Heather Olson photo,
It was 23 years ago when a Dodgeville football team could claim a win over Lancaster.
That was the start of a drought but Friday the rains came and then some. The Dodgers ended the run by the Flying Arrows at 23. They did it by overcoming a Lancaster score on the first play of the game to a battle of dominance, taking down the Arrows 42-14 in a SWC test.
Arrows QB Toay Ragatz raced for the first score to start the game, taking the ball in on the first play. The Dodgers refused to let the strong Lancaster start bother them and shut them down for the most part after that.
Freshman Finley Olson totaled four touchdowns with sophomore Karter McGraw shot scoring strikes to seniors Griffin Busch and Braxton Staver for the rest of the Tds. Olson, Blake Stodola and Elliot Jorenby all added two point conversions.
When it came to defense the Dodgers authored several big stops. They had 13 tackles for loss with Briggz Hutson and Finn Fitzsimons turning in three, Stodola two with Busch, Staver, Anthony Butteris, Nathan Blalock and Jorenby one. Staver had the most tackles with nine.
Other defensive notable efforts were forced fumbles by Finley Olson and Carter Schultz with Schultz pouncing on one of the drops.
The win was masterful to watch and was one of the most complete games a coach could ask for. It was especially savored by Dodgers coach Matt Staver.
“I was extremely proud of how focused and disciplined our players were for all four quarters,”Staver said. “We challenged them to play one snap at a time, trust their preparation and keep competing regardless of the situation.”
Among the keys to the win was the fact that six different ball carriers kept the Dodgers moving all night. It was a combination of hard running and strong blocking.
“Having six different ball carriers contribute says a lot about our depth and unselfishness,” said Staver. “Each runner brings something different, which helped us stay fresh and remain unpredictable. None of it happens without the offensive line, tight ends and receivers doing their job blocking.”
Staver was also impressed with how the Dodgers shook off the opening score and got back to work right away.
“Our response after the first play may have been the most impressive part of the night,” Staver said. “They stayed composed, trusted one another, and went right back to executing the plan. That response showed the maturity and resilience this group has developed.”
“Our defense played with tremendous effort and physicality,” Staver added. “After the opening score, the players settled in, communicated and executed at a high level. We tackled well, pursued the football and limited explosive plays.”
The drought ending win was huge with the development of the Dodger program.
“This is a meaningful win for our players, our school and everyone who has been part of Dodgeville football,” Staver said. “Lancaster has a tremendous tradition, so beating them gives our players a boost of confidence and shows what is possible when we prepare well and play together. We appreciate the history behind the win, but we also know the job is not finished.”
There was one more reason the win was so satisfying. It was also Senior Night, the last home game for the graduates.
“We are especially proud that our nine seniors were able to go out as winners in their final game on their home field,” said Staver. “They have invested so much in this program, and it was rewarding to see them celebrate that moment together.”
The Dodgers end their regular season with a trip to Richland Center Friday. Staver expects a good test.
“We expect to face a confident, motivated Richland Center team,” he said. “They have won two straight games, and they can create problems if we are not disciplined. We expect them to play physical football and compete for all four quarters.”
