LE MARS — The ninth-ranked Fort Dodge football squad has played their way into the Class 4A playoff hunt.

For all intents and purposes, the Dodgers’ postseason run starts now.

Head coach Nik Moser’s team heads to Le Mars for a rare Thursday night game against the Bulldogs. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

Fort Dodge (5-1 overall, 2-0 in Class 4A-1) has reeled off five consecutive wins for the first time since 2015 and is currently in control of its own destiny. The tight rope the Dodgers are walking will see the degree of difficulty increase dramatically, though, if they aren’t able to stop Le Mars (3-3, 1-1) — a 4A playoff qualifier last season.

“We have an outstanding opportunity and have worked hard to earn that,” Moser said. “This is going to be a challenge. Le Mars is just a solid, well-coached program. Their defense does the job, and both their quarterback and running back are tough and talented.

“We’ll have to play really well. That goes without saying. But we’re looking forward to making the trip.”

Junior Jami Sitzmann has completed nearly 71 percent of his passes for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns to anchor the Bulldog offense. Senior Jude Dougherty balances out Le Mars with 340 rushing yards and seven scores.

Dougherty, utility player Jovany Kabongo, lineman Asher Moss and punter Tycen Augustine were all-district selections a year ago.

Junior Andrew Grant has 279 receiving yards and four scores. Junior Tegan Bogh, junior Hudson Kass and senior Jayden Nelson have been the top tacklers for Le Mars, with Grant recovering three fumbles and Bogh picking off three passes.

The Bulldogs bounced back from consecutive losses to MOC-Floyd Valley and Spencer to rout Sioux City West last week, 48-16.

Fort Dodge, meanwhile, drubbed Spencer on Homecoming by a final of 55-26. Senior Jamarius Gibbs-Green ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns in barely over a full half of work, with sophomore Ezrah Barkhaus adding 124 yards on the ground.

Dodger quarterback Tru McBride is 26 yards shy of becoming just the third sophomore in program history to reach the 1,000-yard mark, as he trails only Drake Miller (1,777) and Randy Reiners (1,204). Gibbs-Green has 739 yards and eight TDs at nearly seven yards per carry.

McBride and Gibbs-Green are in the Top-10 for passing and rushing yards, respectively, in 4A.

Junior linebacker Jesse Egli leads the FDSH defense in tackles, with senior rush end Jonathan Brown paving the way in tackles for loss.

The 125-mile trek to Le Mars Community Stadium comes a day earlier than usual due to an officiating shortage in the area. Fort Dodge isn’t deviating from its plan much; Moser even added that the school schedule — students are off Thursday and Friday for conferences — worked in the Dodgers’ favor.

“We’ll keep the same routine for the most part,” Moser said. “When you make (long road trips), it’s all about keeping (collective) focus, staying together, playing together and taking care of the task at hand.”

Fort Dodge is 11th in this week’s initial 4A RPI rankings, released by the IHSAA. The Dodgers are also in the AP Top-10 for the first time since 2021.

Moser knows his squad will probably need to win seven regular-season games to reach the 16-team playoff field, putting added importance on this contest and the last two weeks against Sioux City West and at Spencer.

“It all boils down to these last three weeks now,” Moser said. “Our focus will continue to be on getting better every day and seeing where that takes us.”