(Sioux Center) Atlantic graduate Zade Niklasen is playing football at Dordt and posted one of the best games of his young career Saturday.
The sophomore safety registered 7 tackles in a 35-30 loss over the weekend to top rated Morningside. “Playing with this defense we have such an amazing D-Line and Linebacking core it allows me to play pretty free back there behind it. I’ve just been coming in and working my tail off to be at the level of this defense.”
Niklasen admits the Defenders were excited for an opportunity to try and take down two time defending national champion. “Not a lot of teams have that opportunity and we do. It just really gives you a chance just really put it all out there. Kind of in a way have a game that’s playoff like before the playoffs. It’s just really fun and exciting to play that level of competition during the year.”
The Defenders are 5-2 with their only losses coming against #1 Morningside and #2 Northwestern. Both were one possession games. “It’s been a pretty strong year. This senior class that we have this year is really amazing. A lot of leaders on both sides of the ball. Just really brings out the best in the whole team.”
13th rated Dordt has an open date this weekend and will face Hastings on November 14th. They have two regular season games remaining. If they win both and win big, they still have a chance to make the playoffs.
