—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla johnny dickerson makes a touchdown catch against Bishop Garrigan. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net.

As he laid on the turf inside Dodger Stadium late in the fourth quarter, Johnny Dickerson knew he had to get up.

Dickerson, a St. Edmond senior, overcame cramping to secure three key receptions on a scoring drive that helped the Gaels top Bishop Garrigan on Homecoming here Friday night, 45-40.

“I asked the trainer how much time was left,” Dickerson said. “After that, I knew I had to get out there. I was able to catch those last few curls, stay in bounds and keep the clock going.

“Honestly, this just feels incredible. I’m at such a high right now. This was the most team spirit I’ve ever felt in a game. I was really emotional after it all ended.”

Dickerson finished his night with 16 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Junior JT Laufersweiler was 19-for-28 for 302 yards and three scores, adding 37 yards and three more TDs on the ground.

“When you have kids that can make plays, you can do some really special things on offense,” SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. “JT, he really showed a lot of maturity out there. Yeah, he threw a couple of interceptions, but as a quarterback, you have to have a short-term memory. He came right back, adjusted a few things and we took advantage.

“I’m so proud of the kids and happy for them. This was a big, big win and one they’ll remember for a long time.”

Jack Grandgenett had a 79-yard kickoff return for the Golden Bears, Garrett Heying threw for 256 yards and a pair of scores to Grandgenett, and Aidan Hovey caught eight passes for 155.

Caleb Schaeffer and Klay Baker each added scores for the Gaels (3-3 overall, 2-2 in district), while Cal Birkey had two TDs and Caden Roethler another for Bishop Garrigan (2-4, 1-3).

“That was a really fun football game between two teams who gave it everything they had,” Dillon said. “I have so much respect for (Garrigan head coach) Marty Wadle and that program. We were just able to make a few more plays and earn the win.”

After the Golden Bears answered a touchdown by St. Edmond with a quick score in three plays, the Gaels recovered the onside kick. Following three plays that resulted in just five yards, SEHS faced a fourth-and-5 from the BGHS 34.

Kinnick Henning took the handoff and attempted to pick up the first down, but was denied. However, a personal foul face mask penalty was called, resulting in a first down and sealing the win for the Gaels.

“Our kids just continued to fight, despite battling some injuries and other things,” Dillon said. “When you do that, things go your way.”

Dickerson, who came into the night leading the district with 28 receptions for 418 yards and three TDs, had nine catches for 119 yards in the opening half.

“It just feels so great to earn a win like this on Homecoming for us seniors,” he said. “It means a lot because we have worked so hard to be the best we can be this year.

“I put in a lot of work during the offseason because I want to have the best season I can for my teammates and school.”

Adam Walker and John Nemmers combined for a sack on defense for St. Edmond, while Sam Myer recovered a fumble.

The Gaels hit the road next Friday night to play Northwood-Kensett. The Vikings fell to Gladbrook-Reinbeck Thursday, 78-0.

SE BG

First Downs 19 18

Rushes-Yards 31-78 33-98

Passing 302 256

Comp-Att-Int 19-28-2 16-27-0

Total Offense 380 354

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 3-1

Punts-Avg. 2-33.5 3-35.7

Penalties-Yards 2-20 4-35

St. Edmond 12 12 13 8– 45

Garrigan 6 8 12 14–40

Scoring Summary

Bishop Garrigan — Cal Birkey (1-yard run), 7:40 left in first. Kick failed.

St. Edmond — Caleb Schaeffer (42-yard pass from JT Laufersweiler), 6:26 left in first. Conversion failed.

St. Edmond — Laufersweiler (1-yard run), 3:13 left in first. Conversion failed.

St. Edmond — Klay Baker (12-yard run), 9:47 left in second. Kick failed.

Bishop Garrigan — Jack Grandgenett (79-yard kickoff return), 9:32 left in second. Birkey run.

St. Edmond — Johnny Dickerson (24-yard pass from Laufersweiler), :28 left in second. Conversion failed.

St. Edmond — Dickerson (16-yard pass from Laufersweiler), 7:12 left in third. Conversion failed.

Bishop Garrigan — Caden Roethler (9-yard run), 3:55 left in third. Conversion failed.

St. Edmond — Laufersweiler (7-yard run), 1:46 left in third. Alex Tiernan kick.

Bishop Garrigan — Birkey (7-yard run), :27 left in third. Conversion failed.

Bishop Garrigan — Grandgenett (8-yard pass from Garrett Heying), 8:05 left in fourth. Heying-to-Birkey conversion.

St. Edmond — Laufersweiler (4-yard run), 2:57 left in fourth. Laufersweiler-to-Dominic McClain conversion.

Bishop Garrigan — Grandgenett (10-yard pass from Heying), 2:01 left in fourth. Conversion failed.

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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing — St. Edmond: Klay Baker 9-38, JT Laufersweiler 10-37, Kinnick Henning 8-21, Caleb Schaeffer 1-2, Team 3-(minus-20). Bishop Garrigan: Caden Roethler 9-43, Cal Birkey 15-42, Garrett Heying 8-20, Team 1-(minus-7).

Passing — St. Edmond: JT Laufersweiler 19-28-2-302. Bishop Garrigan: Garrett Heying 16-27-0-256.

Receiving — St. Edmond: Johnny Dickerson 16-216, Caleb Schaeffer 2-51, Kinnick Henning 1-35. Bishop Garrigan: Aidan Hovey 8-155, Jack Grandgenett 5-52, Caden Roethler 1-28, Cal Birkey 2-13.