MANSON — Jon Borer gets his first taste of the St. Edmond-Manson Northwest Webster rivalry Friday night.

Borer, in his first season with the Gael football team, seeks his first win with SEHS after dropping the season opener to Mason City Newman last Friday, 28-16.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

While the end result wasn’t what he wanted, Borer saw plenty of positives from the contest.

“We had just two negative yardage plays on offense and we feel really good about our base running plays,” Borer said. “On defense, we need a green swarm to the ball which means 10 or 11 guys flying to the ball. That’s been a big focus for us this week.”

One of those positives was the passing attack, as junior quarterback Andrew Gibb completed 12 of 27 for 197 yards. Gibb connected with senior receiver Isaac Lursen seven times for 177 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown strike.

Gibb, who eclipsed his season passing total from a year ago in the game, also ran for a team-high 53 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.

Cade Naughton added 51 yards on the ground and Charlie Shelly 38, but SEHS was unable to hold off Newman after jumping out to a 10-0 lead. The Gaels finished with more yards than the Knights, but Newman posted 15 fourth-quarter points.

“I thought we threw the football really well,” Borer said. “We’ve got to do a better job of spreading it around, though, as we have several talented receivers.”

Senior two-way starter Ty Smith suffered an injury and will be sidelined. Sean Flaherty shifts to the guard spot on offense in place of Smith, with Gabe Rodenberg taking over for Flaherty at tackle.

Jack Rasmussen, who led the entire state in tackles last year, recorded 11.5 stops, while Peyton Spangler had 8.5 and Sean Newell made 6.5 — two of which were for loss.

Smith’s injury is also felt on the defensive side of the ball. Jackson Bemrich will start at defensive end.

“I wish we were healthier,” Borer said. “We don’t have a lot of depth as it is, but especially along the lines, we are very thin.”

Last year, St. Edmond claimed a 21-13 decision over Manson NW at home. Two seasons ago, the Cougars ended a 13-year losing streak to the Gaels.

Manson Northwest Webster (0-1) opened its season in the Channel Seed Ag Bowl, falling at Sioux Central, 22-8. Reid Steinberg ran for 78 yards and scored a touchdown, while Derek Girard added 55 yards passing.

“We came back (last) Friday and had a good practice and again on Monday,” Anliker said. “We just played too high. Sioux Central runs that quick-huddle and it gave us fits all night. We were guessing on defense and they made us pay.

“I thought we moved the ball well late in the third and fourth, and also got some defensive stops once we figured things out. It was just too much to overcome the start.”

Anliker, who has been at MNW since 2002, was the head coach at St. Edmond from 1998-2001.

“I watched the film (between St. Edmond and Newman) and I was really impressed,” Anliker said. “They did things they haven’t done since before I was even there on offense. I was really impressed with their pass blocking.

“It’s hard to compare (what the Gaels did last year to this year); it’s really just a night and day difference. Credit to their coaching staff and the kids for picking it all up so quickly.”

Manson NW returns eight starters from a 4-5 team a year ago, including Steinberg, Girard, Mark Condon, Brian Pearson, Keegan Pritchard, Blake Larsen, Ben Quade and Riley Peters. A ninth player, Cameron Kresbach, started as a sophomore before missing his junior season with an injury.

The Gaels open Class A, District 2 play next Friday at Dodger Stadium vs. MMCRU, while the Cougars begin 1A, District 6 action with three road games in four weeks starting at South Hamilton.

MANSON NW

Offense

E — Keegan Pritchard, 180, sr.; T — Cameron Kresbach, 245, sr.; G — John Schuttler, 235, soph.; C — Tommy Lawman, 210, soph.; G — Ben Quade, 165, jr.; T — Cort Jaeschke, 170, jr. or Zach Siefken, 200, jr.; E — Brian Pearson, 160, jr.; QB — Derek Girard, 165, jr.; RB — Mark Condon, 190, sr.; RB — Reid Steinberg, 185, sr.; RB — Blake Larsen, 195, sr.; K — Girard.

Defense

DE — Condon; DT — Kresbach; DT — Lawman, Schuttler or Siefken; DE — Larsen; LB — Pritchard; LB — Quade; LB — Austin Burger, 155, sr.; LB — Steinberg; DB — Girard; DB — Pearson; DB — Dawson Estergaard, 155, jr.; P — Riley Peters, 180, jr.