Lifelong Dream Becomes Reality For Moser Under The Lights Friday Night

At times, real life writes stories that couldn’t be scripted better in a Hollywood film. Nik Moser has said himself that being the Head Coach of Dodger Football has been a dream of his since childhood. He grew up with his dad Sam as the head coach here, Nik wore the Fort Dodge jersey. He then went on to a playing career at Iowa State. After his days at ISU, he came back to Fort Dodge and worked on former Coach Matt Miller’s staff for over a decade most recently as Offensive Coordinator. All of those steps led to the moment in which his dream will culminate with leading the Dodgers onto the field Friday Night as Fort Dodge’s Head Coach. The Dodger will open at Dodger Stadium against Ames, which is fitting given Moser played in that same venue and when he was done played in Ames at ISU. When I asked how he felt coming in to the opener, Nik had this to say.

Fort Dodge will be looking for their 5th straight win over Ames and their 8th in the last 10 meetings. Last Year, Fort Dodge had no trouble winning at Ames 42-7. RB Dayson Clayton who was hampered with injuries last season, had his best game of 2019 at Ames running for over 160 yards and 3 TD’s. Clayton is back for his Senior season and will be expected to be a difference maker on a young Fort Dodge offense. Coach Moser says Clayton has impressed in fall camp and is as close to 100% as he has seen him.

On the offensive side of the ball, Tyler Schreier is back and should now become a focal point of the passing game at the WR position. He has game breaking speed and the potential to make a big play any time he touches it in space. Schreier will also be used in the return game. The receiving corp graduated two time All State performer Ty Kershaw (who now is at UNI), standout Nick Bice, Brycen Bell and Russell Potraz from last year. While that is a lot to replace, Schreier has the capability of being the #1 receiver. One “wildcard” at WR will be Sophomore Javion Jondle, who is a kid with all the physical tools, size, fluidity, and athleticism to be a college level receiver. The other “wildcard” is Brad Vodraska a Junior who also has speed , athletic ability and the ability to make people miss. So while their is some inevitable expected growth to be done at that position, the cupboard is not bare.

Their has been a QB battle in fall camp between Junior Carson Peterson and Sophomore Connor Carver. Dylan Zimmerman was a back up at QB last year who has been moved this year to linebacker. Peterson displayed good command of the offense last week at the inter squad scrimmage. He also is a guy who has athleticism and displayed the ability to escape the pocket, he also throws on the run well. He is undersized in comparison with the traditional measurable(s) of a QB but can rely the previously mentioned attributes he does have. The coaching staff is high on the future for Connor Carver at QB, he is more of the traditional type QB. Both guys are expected to see some snaps in the opener Friday.

Jace Ulrich and Sawyer Springer are both back healthy after missing much of last season with injuries. Springer will be counted on to anchor a young offensive line. Ulrich has seen reps on the defensive line as well as at fullback this fall. The reports from fall camp have been good about Ulrich and he has really quick feet for his size.

On defense the Dodgers are replacing a lot as well, so it will be new faces in new places to a degree. However, their are some returners on defense expected to make a big impact. That group starts with Pry’Shayn Mosley at defensive end, last season as a 10th grader he displayed incredible athletic ability as a speed rusher. He had stretches of games in 2019 in which he took over. The staff is expecting that with Mosley now being a year older and stronger that he shows more consistency. Sam Daniel is back at Safety and had a solid campaign last year, in 2019 he really displayed field awareness and good instincts at the position. Jerry Chada is back at corner after a solid season last year, he is a solid cover guy who is deceptively fast. Linebacker will be a question after the 2019 team lost the “linebacking law firm” of Egli, Nichols, Halligan and Lee. Coach Moser has been high on James and Thomas Daniel who will step in at LB, Moser said “James and Thomas Daniel would’ve started on a lot of teams last year”. Dylan Zimmerman also has moved to LB, his range and athleticism are factors that could make that transition a successful one.

Nik Moser’s dream will be realized Friday Night, will the dream debut go as planned? Find out Friday Night on “92 Rock” or here on our website starting with the Dodger Football Pregame Show at 6:45 PM.