The Le Mars football team sent three players off to the collegiate ranks during National Signing Day on Wednesday. Offensive lineman Nolan Hodgson is heading to Morningside University and Sione Fifita and Dylan Walking Eagle are going to Iowa Central Community College.
Hodgson is getting the opportunity to play for a team in Morningside who has won three of the last five NAIA national titles. He says that along with its close proximity made it an attractive option.
Hodgson played right tackle on a Bulldog offense that was very balanced going to the run and pass almost evenly. Head Coach Ken Vigdal says his ability to make the quick changes to his blocking can make him stand out at the next level.
Hodgson is ready to get on campus in the fall and get the opportunity to play his favorite sport at the next level.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Bulldog offensive line, Dylan Walking Eagle signed to play football in Fort Dodge at Iowa Central Community College. Walking Eagle says he felt the Triton football program was like a family, and that was something he wanted to be a part of.
Coach Vigdal says Walking Eagle’s mobility made him such a force on his offensive line and will make him a threat on Iowa Central’s o-line.
Walking Eagle says the work ethic installed in his time in high school has prepared him to take the next step in the sport of football.
Le Mars has now sent three offensive linemen to play college football in the last two seasons. Coach Vigdal says that shows the work his team puts into that position is paying off.
Walking Eagle will be joined by Bulldog wide receiver and defensive back Sione Fifita who also will play football at Iowa Central. Fifita says Iowa Central felt like a perfect fit for him to play at the next level.
Coach Vigdal says Fifita’s ability to do anything the team needed will be missed next year.
Iowa Central is not a stranger to Bulldog football talent. Colton Hoag attended Iowa Central the last two seasons before transferring to finish his final two years in the FCS at Southern Illinois. Walking Eagle says he is excited to play at a place where Bulldogs have succeeded in the past and to get play with his current high school teammate.
This Bulldog program has left an incredible impact on all three of these players. Fifita says that impact extends far beyond the football field.
Coach Vigdal says it is ultimately the kind of person they produce that matters rather than the kind of football player.
Morningside finished last season with a 11-1 record in the NAIA quarterfinals. Iowa Central capped last season with a 7-4 record winning their 12th bowl game in a row.
