Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Quinten McCarville of St. Edmond leaps to try and make a catch last season inside Dodger Stadium.

WESTSIDE — A new era begins here Friday night for St. Edmond and head coach Matt Dillon.

After posting a 5-3 record a season ago, the Gaels (0-0 overall) have moved down from Class A to the wild, wild west of prep football — also known as eight-player.

And Dillon is ready.

Over the past several months, the veteran leader has been pouring over game film to understand the brand he will coach for the first time in his four-decade career. That includes studying up on some of the top programs in the state.

“We need to play a game against somebody other than ourselves,” Dillon said. “I’m sure the Ar-We-Va coach feels the same. You need to see what you can do against an actual opponent so you can get a better idea of where you are at.”

St. Edmond also needs to find replacements for several key players from last fall. They do return letterwinners Tyler McDowell, Grant Webster, Tyler Rossmanith, John Nemmers, Cayne Reed, Johnny Dickerson, Quinten McCarville, Connor Lawton, Zach Lawler, Isaac Landwehr and Caleb Schaeffer.

Rossmanith ran for a team-high 572 yards and scored six touchdowns as a junior, adding another 38 yards and one score receiving. McCarville had 13 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown, as well.

“We’ve continued to have good practices here this week,” Dillon said. “The kids have adjusted well to the change.”

On defense, Rossmanith had 58.5 tackles, Reed had 30.5, Schaeffer 15.5, Nemmers and Landwehr 11 each, and McDowell nine. The unit forced 16 turnovers with two scores, adding two more TDs in the return game.

“We’re going up against a very good team that returns some skill players that might be the best we will see all year,” Dillon said. “They’ve moved some guys around because of graduation, but they’ll be a very tough opponent.”

Ar-We-Va has been a staple in the class for several years, including a 10-1 campaign in 2018. The Rockets also won eight games in 2015 and ’16, went 7-3 in 2017 and were 11-1 in 2007.

The 2018 team reached the state quarterfinals before falling to Southeast Warren.

Last year, Ar-We-Va was 3-5 with wins over West Harrison, Exira-EHK and Boyer Valley. They scored at least 43 points in all three, including 61 vs. Exira-EHK.

Quarterbacks Will Ragaller and Cooper Kock return after throwing for a combined 1,064 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ragaller was also dangerous on the ground, running for 1,133 yards and 14 TDs.

Kock was the leading receiver, catching 27 passes for 464 yards.

On defense, Ragaller made 77.5 tackles including 20 for loss and four sacks, Kock had 57.5 and Damon Ehlers recorded 41 with 10.5 for loss and five sacks.

The Rocket defense forced 23 turnovers with 13 interceptions, scoring two touchdowns on that side of the ball. They also returned a pair of kickoffs back for scores.