One of the oldest rivalries in north central Iowa will hit the gridiron Friday night as St. Edmond welcomes Bishop Garrigan.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Dodger Stadium.

The series started in 1959, with the Gaels (4-2 overall, 2-2 in Class A, District 2) posting a 26-7 victory. The Golden Bears (2-4, 2-2) lead all-time, 40-19, including a 28-15 triumph last season.

It has been a case of mixed results for SEHS and head coach Matt Dillon over the past four weeks of district play. After opening with a 53-27 victory over North Union, St. Edmond fell to No. 5 West Hancock, 55-14.

The Gaels rebounded with a thrilling 39-37 double-overtime win vs. Manson Northwest Webster before losing last Friday at Alta-Aurelia, 43-22.

On the year, though, St. Edmond is a perfect 3-0 at home.

“It’s nice to be at home again playing in front of what will be a big crowd for homecoming,” Dillon said. “Obviously this is a big game for both communities. Two Catholic schools going at it that are roughly 45 miles apart.”

Drew Schaeffer continues to move up the school records for passing yards, sitting at 1,329 on the year. The senior has 12 touchdowns and is averaging just over 24 yards per completion.

Schaeffer set a new single-season school record for yards, breaking the previous mark set by Tad Lindner at 1,318 in 1978. He is second on the career list with 2,072, just 388 yards behind Lindner.

Classmate Parker Oswald remains his favorite target, hauling in 26 passes for 593 yards with four scores. Five other Gael players have at least four receptions, with both Anthony Lacina and Kase Baker catching three touchdowns each.

Tyler Rossmanith, a junior, has rushed for a team-high 472 yards and five TDs, with Sean Flattery adding 344 and six, and Baker 310 and three.

On defense, St. Edmond has forced 14 turnovers including eight interceptions. Oswald has three picks, Lacina and Flattery two each. John Nemmers has recovered two fumbles.

“We are going to be out-manned up front so we’ll need to adjust for that,” Dillon said. “Garrigan has some big, big boys. We’ve got to do a better job tackling as well.”

Following four consecutive losses to begin the season, Bishop Garrigan has picked up back-to-back victories over North Union and Manson Northwest Webster. Those first four games included dates with No. 5 (1A) Emmetsburg and West Hancock.

Seniors Kellen Murphy and Derrick Kirsch lead the Golden Bear offense. In the win over the Cougars, Murphy accounted for four touchdowns, including three on the ground.

Murphy, who has 10 total TDs on the year, had 249 yards rushing on 29 carries in the win over North Union.

“They’ve kind of changed things up on offense and it has been effective the past two weeks,” Dillon said. “We’ve got to be ready for anything and everything.”

Game Notes: Bishop Garrigan has won the last five meetings between the two schools after St. Edmond reeled off seven consecutive triumphs. … Parker Oswald is seventh on the career list for receiving yards with 871, having just passed Sam Condon. … Oswald’s 593 yards this year ranks fifth with Joey Flattery fourth with 634. … Kase Baker is closing in on joining the 1,000 yard rushing club, as he currently has 991 yards.