Photo by Tom Vogt Kase Baker runs the ball for St. Edmond last week inside Dodger Stadium.

Three years ago, Kase Baker and his fellow seniors listened closely as new head football coach Matt Dillon laid out plans for the program.

Now, three years later, Baker and his teammates have helped revive St. Edmond as they prepare to host Madrid this Friday night inside Dodger Stadium in a Class A playoff contest.

“Since day one, Coach Dillon and I hit it off,” Baker said. “We have similar interests both on and off the field. We could both talk about food for hours at a time.

“It’s just really cool to have a coach at Coach Dillon. I know that he will always have my back, but I also know that he will also give me a smack on the head if I’m not doing something right.”

Since he put on the uniform, Baker has shined for Dillon, racking up 2,058 yards from scrimmage and scoring 22 touchdowns. He recently became the 30th player in school history to surpass 1,000 yards rushing, sitting at 1,154 with 13 TDs at the moment.

Baker has also caught 30 passes for 514 yards and seven touchdowns while adding scores on both kickoff and interception returns. He also has 56 tackles and seven interceptions, adding three two-point conversions for 138 points scored.

“Playing for Coach Dillon over the past three years has really been an amazing experience,” Baker said. “My favorite quote from him that I use all the time is ‘don’t be satisfied with mediocre.'”

With a record of 5-2, the Gaels have won their most games in a season since 2015, a year removed from completing back-to-back runs to the state semifinals including a championship game appearance.

“It really means a lot to be a part of the group that is bringing St. Edmond football back from the shadows,” Baker said. “It has taken a lot of time and a lot of hard work over the four years.

“I would like to pass on to the younger generation to cherish your moments in high school and to be involved with as many things as possible along with hanging out with friends and really enjoying it. It goes by super, super fast.”

In the spring, Baker will resume his quest on the track. He already owns Top-5 times in school-history in the 100 and 200 along with being part of the 4×100 relay that set a new record in 2019.

At the 2019 state track meet, Baker was eighth in the 200 and anchored the title-winning 4×100 relay team. State track was scrapped last year along with the track season due to the novel coronavirus.

“COVID has been a really big deal this entire year, but as a team, we have really overcome a lot of obstacles like losing players and other players needing to be quarantined,” he said. “We just try to keep the thought of our season being cut short out of our heads and focus on the next game.”

He is also involved in basketball at St. Edmond.

Baker’s future plans include becoming an electrician and joining the family-owned business at Baker Electric to “work with my dad and in the future run it.”

“I hope I can be remembered as the kid that showed up and just worked hard no matter what,” Baker said. “I think all of my coaches I have been under can agree with that.”

Vacation destination: Bora Bora

People I would like to have dinner with: Kevin Hart and The Rock

It would surprise people that I:

My sports role model: Patrick Mahomes

My everyday role model: my dad

I can’t go a day without: Lemon Lime Gatorade

Superstition: listening to the same playlist before every game

Most heated rivalry: Manson NW

Favorite road trip: Colorado

What are you listening to right now? Morgan Wallen

Favorites…

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Class: Math

Movie: Dumb and Dumber

Book or Magazine: Unbroken

Phone app: Twitter