Broncos, still learning how to win close games, welcome No. 6 Dordt

Hastings College is getting used to playing close games.

The Broncos’ last three games have been, in chronological order, a win over Northwestern (10-9), a loss to Concordia (32-29) and last week a win over Mount Marty (23-20).

“I think Concordia was probably just a little bit better than Mount Marty from top to bottom,’ Hastings College coach Matt Franzen said. “And maybe that was the difference in winning the three-point game versus losing the three-point game.”

But Franzen said it’s a good thing to have all those close games.

“The good news is I just feel like our league is so strong from top to bottom that we’re happy to be in close games,” Franzen said. “We’ve won two out of the last three, and all three of them have been three points or less. So it’s a type of deal where you kind of have to learn how to be in close games, and how to win close games.

“I think we’re still kind of in that learning process, but it’s a lot of fun to win games like that. It’s kind of exhausting, but our guys are having fun.”

The Broncos (4-4) face a stiff challenge when they face unbeaten Dordt (7-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lloyd Wilson field.

The Defenders have had a couple of close games in conference play. They defeated Northwestern 21-20 earlier this season and Midland 17-14 last weekend.

“I do think the league has enough parity, that even Dordt has had some close games,” Franzen said. “One of the things that we’ve done a good job of is believing in each other and believing in ourselves, that we’re going to find a way. So we’re going to have to bring that belief into this game.”

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Franzen said Dordt is a well-balanced team that can both run the ball and throw it. The Defenders have 10 different players who have rushed for more than 100 yards on the season. Running backs Thomas Fritz and Preston McCoy both are averaging around 10 yards per carry.

Quarterback Noah Strickfaden has thrown for just over 1,000 yards this season with 10 TDs and four interceptions.

“Offensively they are very balanced,” Franzen said. “They run the ball really well. Their offensive line is big and fundamentally, just really good and they throw the ball. They have a quarterback who can run the ball and throw the ball pretty well.”

The Broncos have allowed just 97 rushing yards per game this year.

“We’ve defended the run well, really all season,” Franzen said. “And obviously that’s going to be our goal, again, is to take that part of it away. Last week, we held Mount Marty to 67 rushing yards. I don’t know if it’s realistic to think we can do that specifically against this Dordt team, but it is going to be important that we play well against the run.”

Although Dordt would have to be considered the favorite going into the game, it is being played on the Broncos’ home field. Franzen said that’s a definite advantage for his team.

The Broncos lost at Dordt 58-0 last year and 49-7 in 2022.

“I’m glad that we’re playing it at home, not up there at their place,” Franzen said. “That’s a tough place to play, and it’s a tough place to win. So the home field advantage will be good and probably will be important for us.”