Parkston’s Gage Jodozi follows brother’s footsteps with Outstanding Lineman Award
Parkston's Gage Jodozi, left, makes a tackle against Platte-Geddes in the Class 9AA state championship game Thursday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. (Matt Gade / 605 Sports)
VERMILLION — Parkston’s Gage Jodozi is bringing some more hardware to the Jodozi household.
Jodozi’s older brother, Will, earned the Outstanding Lineman Award after Parkston won the 2023 Class 9AA state championship at the DakotaDome. Fast forward to 2026, and Gage Jodozi earned this season’s Outstanding Lineman Award, following Parkston’s 36-6 win over Platte-Geddes for the Class 9AA state title Thursday.
“It means a lot,” Gage Jodozi said about winning the award. “Four years ago my older brother he got it, too, and it kind of shows when you get hard work you get the reward that you want.”
Jodozi, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior, also praised his fellow Trojans for the individual award, including Joe Robbie MVP Brycen Bruening and Outstanding Back Mason Jervik.
“I have to give it to my team,” Jodozi said. “They’re always here to back me and they’re always here when I need them. It makes it easy when you have two of the best guys in the state in the backfield. So that was nice to see.”
Jodozi helped the Trojans rack up 340 total yards, 176 yards rushing, and they averaged 5.7 yards per carry in the state championship win.
And it all started up front at the line of scrimmage.
“That’s the heart of this team,” said Jodozi, who added 16 tackles and one forced fumble on Thursday. “(Parkston coach Matt) Grave says that every day — you win at the line.”
Grave said Parkston ran its offense through Jodozi nearly 90% of the time over the past two seasons.
“We were very predictable, but he was such a great player, and he knows the game,” Grave said. “He knows angles and leverages. You can’t not run behind him. But to see him come out here and play through some injuries and still be composed and get everybody organized is really, really special.”
The Trojans have now compiled a 43-3 record since 2023, winning two Class 9AA state championships and finishing runner-up in ‘24.
Jodozi, who is one of 10 Parkston seniors, said it’s been special to be a part of the Trojan football program.
“We’re a football community, and it feels like everyone supports you no matter what and that’s what we play for,” Jodozi said. “We play for those little kids that look up to us, and the community that always backs us.”