Photo by Greg Grabinowski: St. Edmond's Klay Baker runs the ball against Bishop Garrigan on Friday night in Algona.

ALGONA — There was just one blemish on the record for Bishop Garrigan last year as they claimed the eight-player state championship.

The Golden Bears made sure to wipe that loss away with a 48-22 victory here in the season opener vs. St. Edmond on Friday night.

Bishop Garrigan (1-0 overall) reeled off 12 consecutive victories last fall after losing to the Gaels (0-1) in a thriller, culminating with the first state title for legendary head coach Marty Wadle.

Ethan Marso, one of a handful of returning players from that team, scored three second half touchdowns and ran for 72 yards as the Golden Bears used their physical style to wear down St. Edmond.

“We felt like we could take advantage of our size in the second half,” Wadle said. “We knew that St. Edmond had some playmakers and we would need to do a great job limiting them. Returning all-stater (Adam) Walker also gave us fits in the first half but we were able to adjust after the break.

“It felt good to get back out here and play. The kids were excited to try and start this season off 1-0.”

The Gaels, who had won each of the previous four meetings vs. the Golden Bears, opened the contest with a bang as Grant Galles took the kickoff back for a 70-yard touchdown.

Galles would also haul in a 70-yard TD reception from Ethan Swisher in the fourth quarter. Sam Myer had the other St. Edmond score, finding the end zone in the second quarter.

“I saw some good things,” SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. “We knew this was going to be a difficult matchup. Garrigan is ranked and coming off a phenomenal season.

“But I thought our kids battled and continued to battle until the very end. We’ll learn from this and we’ll get better.”

Tate Foertsch threw for 132 yards and had a 54-yard TD strike to Michael Joyce for the first Golden Bear points of the game. Owen Murphy returned a punt for a score followed by back-to-back Trayton Cink rushing touchdowns.

Cink had 65 yards rushing on the night to balance out the attack.

Klay Baker rushed for 60 yards to lead the Gael ground attack while Dominic McClain finished with a pair of catches. Adam Walker had a sack and Myer recovered a fumble.

For Bishop Garrigan, Marso, Keaton Helleseth and Carter Schwab all had sacks while Joyce and Isaac DeLange eached picked off a pass.

“St. Edmond is a very good team and they are going to win a lot of games this season,” Wadle said. “We’re happy with the win but know we have to get right back to work and improve.”

The Gaels will make their home debut next Friday night when they begin district play vs. Collins-Maxwell. The Golden Bears do the same back here vs. West Bend-Mallard.

SE BG

First Downs 9 16

Rushes-Yards 32-73 44-180

Passing 122 132

Comp-Att-Int 4-21-2 8-14-0

Total Offense 195 312

Fumbles-Lost 3-1 1-1

Punts-Avg. 5-28.0 2-40.0

Penalties-Yards 6-40 5-45

St. Edmond 8 8 0 6 — 22

Garrigan 22 6 13 7 — 48

Scoring Summary

St. Edmond — Grant Galles (70-yard kickoff return), 11:48 left in first. Klay Baker run.

Bishop Garrigan — Michael Joyce (54-yard pass from Tate Foertsch), 3:15 left in first. Trayton Cink run.

Bishop Garrigan — Owen Murphy (60-yard punt return), 1:48 left in first. Foertsch-to-Ethan Marso conversion.

Bishop Garrigan — Cink (36-yard run), :00 left in first. Conversion failed.

Bishop Garrigan — Cink (4-yard run), 6:36 left in second. Conversion failed.

St. Edmond — Sam Myer (1-yard run), 3:11 left in second. Ethan Swisher-to-Dominic McClain conversion.

Bishop Garrigan — Marso (13-yard run), 6:34 left in third. Brady Galligan kick.

Bishop Garrigan — Marso (14-yard run), :00 left in third. Conversion failed.

St. Edmond — Galles (70-yard pass from Swisher), 11:10 left in fourth. Conversion failed.

Bishop Garrigan — Marso (7-yard run), 5:02 left in fourth. Galligan kick.