JANESVILLE — The St. Edmond football team will make eight-player program history Friday night against an opponent with an impressive resume.

The Gaels head to Janesville for first-round action in the state playoffs, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

St. Edmond (5-3 overall) secured its first-ever eight-player state berth by finishing as a district runner-up to fourth-rated Audubon. The Wildcats (7-1) were also district runner-ups.

“We’ve had a fantastic week of practice,” SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. “The kids are locked in and as focused as they have been all season.

“Thursday was a great day to really get us moving toward kickoff.”

The Gaels have battled through one of the toughest schedules in the state, as their eight opponents are a combined 47-26. They have two wins over teams with a record above .500, and are averaging almost 45 points per game.

“Our schedule has prepared us for the this,” Dillon said. “We have been in some battles this year with great teams, and I feel like that experience will help us.”

Since back-to-back losses in September to Audubon and No. 8 GTRA, St. Edmond has posted wins over Coon Rapids-Bayard, Colo-Nesco and Glidden-Ralston by a combined score of 124-40. They also put up 144 points in victories vs. Collins-Maxwell and Baxter following a loss to defending state champion and No. 1 Bishop Garrigan last month.

The last postseason appearance for the program came in 2020, when St. Edmond fell to Madrid in the first round. That season, all teams were eligible for the playoffs.

The Gaels last qualified under more traditional rules in 2014 when they reached the Class 1A state semifinals. They also played in the championship round in 2013.

“I’ve been waiting for this group as a collective unit since I got here to coach,” Dillon said. “I saw what they had and thought about what they could become together.

“It’s exciting to see what we’ve accomplished, but we aren’t done yet.”

Sophomore Aaron Hindt has become the focal point of the offense, rushing for a team-high 744 yards with 12 touchdowns. Klay Baker, a senior, has 342 yards and nine trips to the end zone, while quarterback Ethan Swisher has rushed for 164 with two scores.

Swisher, a junior, has completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,036 yards and 13 TDs. Classmate Grant Galles is the leading receiver, catching 30 balls for 477 and six touchdowns.

Senior Dominic McClain has 18 receptions for 235 and three scores, while junior Jakob Koopman has 145 and two, respectively.

Led by returning all-stater Adam Walker, the Gael defense has nine sacks and 64.5 tackles for loss. Walker has five sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, while senior Quintin Jaeschke and junior Koleman Hanson have a combined four sacks and 22.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Defense and special teams have been key to the success of St. Edmond, scoring 10 touchdowns while forcing 16 turnovers. Galles has four kickoff returns for scores, and Koopman has picked off five passes.

Hanson has provided a difference in field position, recording 44 touchbacks on kickoffs while also converting 15 extra points and two field goals.

Janesville has qualified for the postseason 13 times since 2006, reaching the quarterfinals multiple times. They have scored at least 60 points in each of the last three games since a loss to seventh-ranked Gladbrook-Reinbeck, averaging 59 points per game.

The Wildcats played just two opponents with a record above .500, going 1-1 in those games. They are receiving votes in the latest poll, checking in at No. 14.

Senior quarterback Dane Appleby has 766 yards passing and 10 touchdowns without an interception on 75 attempts. He is also the leading rusher for Janesville, with 937 yards and 21 TDs.

Talan Pletz, a junior, has 339 yards and five scores. The Wildcats have 1,804 yards and 43 touchdowns on the ground.

Dawson Graham, a senior, is the leading receiver at 15 catches for 233 and three scores.

“Janesville is a talented team with a dangerous QB,” Dillon said. “Our defense has been up against some stern tests this year. We are going to have to limit them on offense, convert when we have the ball, and play smart football.”

On defense, Janesville has nine sacks, 55.5 tackles for loss 19 turnovers and six defensive TDs. Blayne Porter is dangerous in the return game, with four punts he has taken back for scores, while Graham has returned a pair of kickoffs to the end zone.