Surf Cat

He wanted to play in the National Football League.

And while his next step isn’t quite the NFL — he’s definitely getting closer to his dream.

Dodge recently signed a professional contract with the Sioux Falls Storm (South Dakota) of the Indoor Football League. The Storm enter the 2020 season that begins in March as the defending league champion and have won seven of the last nine United Bowls.

The thought of collecting a paycheck to do what he loves, and Dodge loves football, is something that’s even a bit hard for him to comprehend.

“It’s definitely something I’ve been working for my entire life,” Dodge said. “I’m excited about it. It’s not where I want to finish. It’s a steppingstone of where I want to get to. It’s a way to get my foot in the door.

“It’s going to be an opportunity to display my talent. I’m super excited to even get the opportunity to play a professional sport. Hopefully, I can use this just to where I finally want to be. I want to play in the NFL one day. That’s the dream.”

Dodge, a 5-foot-11 defensive tackle, said knowing that he’s one step closer to the NFL has only fueled him throughout the preparations he’s put in for his next stop.

And that flame is definitely heating up as the Feb. 24 reporting date gets ever closer.

“The fire is still burning,” Dodge said. “It’s been a dream since I was a little kid. I’m getting paid to be a professional athlete. I’ve had so much support my entire life, my mom and dad, my family, just everyone who has supported me through this journey has helped me to get to this point where I’m at.

“I’m doing this for my family and myself. I want to make them proud and make myself proud. I have to try it. I’m young still, and I want to put everything I can into this dream. At some point, you have to be realistic, but right now, it’s a great opportunity.”

Dodge finished his collegiate playing days at Minnesota State Mankato with back-to-back All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first-team honors, and in his senior year, 208, also was a Don Hansen All-Super Region 4 first-team pick.

As a senior, Dodge played in 12 games after he missed time with a torn plantar fascia in his foot. He recorded 25 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss and three sacks.

The college experience was one that Dodge looks back on with fondness, as those four years in Minnesota set the stage for the newest chapter in his book.

“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “It was a privilege and a blessing to play there. I have nothing but love for that school and organization. They were professional in everything. They embrace a great work ethic. What you put into it is what you get out of it, ultimately. That was that mentality there.

“It was so much fun and so many memories. I have so many great friends that I have for a lifetime now. I made so many great bonds with all the coaches. … I could go on for days. It was awesome.”

Changing role

When he reports to Sioux Falls, Dodge will have plenty of adjustments to make when it comes to the indoor game.

Dodge said he expects to play more as an outside rusher, but that role hasn’t quite been defined by the coaching staff as of yet. The indoor game utilizes just three down linemen and eight total on the field, as opposed to the 11 that fans normally see. The field is just 50 yards as well.

Wherever they line him up, Dodge always will have just one thing in mind — and even though he has some experience as a running back, that isn’t in the cards at this level, he said.

“I like to chase quarterbacks,” he said. “I leave it to the littler guys to run the ball.”

When it comes to the next level, the NFL is the obvious goal, but Dodge said moving up to the Canadian Football League or even the newly-revamped XFL would be a step in the right direction as well.

Everything points to the end goal.

“I’m just training right now, getting ready, so I can do my thing,” Dodge said. “A CFL team would be awesome, too, or maybe an XFL team. All the teams are looking (for players).

“Last year, I went to all the CFL camps. I could have gone that route again or signed one of these contracts where they pick up players all the time from.”

Dodge said his first impression of his new team has been nothing but outstanding.

And with the pedigree of Sioux Falls and its multiple league titles, that only makes sense.

“They’re the most well-known team in the league,” Dodge said. “They’re very professional. They’re good, and they get recognized because they win. That was another reason why it was such a great opportunity. They do well every year.”

Giving back

Dodge reflected back to his days as a fifth grader when his size at that time elevated him to playing against eighth graders at the youth level.

But that never mattered, he said, as long as he could play, regardless of the size of his opponent.

“I was playing Sunday football with eighth graders as a fifth grader,” Dodge said. “That’s where I learned that you step up to the plate or you’re not going to play. Obviously, it scared me that they were a little bigger, but once I got one play in and realized I could hang with them, after that, all the (nerves) were gone. It kind of just grew from there.”

A four-year player at Wilmot, Dodge helped the Panthers to Southern Lakes Conference titles during his sophomore and senior seasons. He was a three-time All-SLC and All-Kenosha County pick and a first-team, All-State selection as a senior.

Dodge, who isn’t often seen without a wide smile on his face, said he’s looking forward to engaging with a whole new fan base in Sioux Falls.

Any chance he has to interact with fans, especially the young ones, Dodge is all for that.

“Giving back to the community is huge,” he said. “Ultimately, what drives me is just representing where I’m from.

“I’m not from a big town. But it doesn’t matter where you’re from. If you can play ball, you can play ball. It’s just cool to get my town recognized if I do well. I love that part of it, too.”