COLO — The St. Edmond football team looks to bounce back following a tough loss on Homecoming when they take on District 9 foe Colo-Nesco here Friday night.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Gaels (3-3 overall, 2-3 in the district) were looking to make it two in a row last week but could not slow down Coon Rapids-Bayard, falling 59-34.

Matt Dillon and his coaching staff were also hit by the injury bug again, losing more key two-way starters both before the game and during it. One of those, junior Dominic McClain, has been lost for the season, joining classmate Klay Baker on the sidelines.

JT Laufersweiler, one of two seniors on the roster alongside Leo Ehn, threw for 207 yards and three TDs while rushing for 90 yards to lead the way. Grant Galles, a sophomore, caught six passes for 121 yards and two of those touchdowns.

“We’ve had great attitude all week in practice,” Dillon said. “We know that this is the most competitive eight-player district in the state and there are still six teams alive for a shot at the playoffs. Some need plenty to happen, but all we can do is take care of ourselves and see what shakes out.”

The St. Edmond defense, though, allowed 425 yards and five scores on the ground to the Crusaders, as Caden Oswald averaged 18 yards per rush and Wyatt Oswald averaged almost 11.

Colo-Nesco (5-2, 3-2) will present another tough challenge against the rush, as they have 1,668 yards and 31 TDs this year. Breckin Clatt, a junior quarterback, leads the team with 767 and 15 while Mark Bower has 429 and four.

Four other Royal players have a rushing touchdown, as Lucas Frohwein is the top receiver with 21 receptions for 249 and three scores. Clatt has completed 50 percent of his passes for 293 yards with five TDs and four interceptions.

Since a pair of district losses dropped them to 2-2 on the year, Colo-Nesco has overpowered Collins-Maxwell, Baxter and English Valleys, scoring at least 38 points in all three games.

“Clatt didn’t play last week but we expect him to be in there this Friday,” Dillon said. “They are a very good football team and we are going to have to really play well to get the win.”

Laufersweiler has thrown for 1,526 yards and 21 touchdowns against eight interceptions while also leading the Gaels with 445 yards and seven rushing scores. Galles has caught 33 passes for 679 yards and 10 TDs with Ehn hauling in 12 for 318 and three.

Coming into the week, Laufersweiler ranks third in eight-player in yards passing and fifth in total touchdowns. He leads the state in yards per completion at 21.5 and is tied for sixth in passing TDs.

Galles is tied for fifth in the entire state in receiving scores and ranks fourth in eight-player in yards.

Junior Adam Walker anchors the Gael defense and is currently third in the state in tackles for loss with 19.5.