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GLIDDEN -- The St. Edmond football team has already secured a spot in the eight-player postseason.
But the Gaels still have plenty left to play for.
St. Edmond makes the roughly one-hour trip here Friday to face Glidden-Ralston in the regular season finale for both schools.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
With a 43-6 victory last Friday night inside Dodger Stadium over Colo-Nesco, the Gaels (4-3 overall, 4-1 in district) clinched the runner-up spot and automatic playoff bid that goes with it. This marks the first postseason appearance since joining eight-player for Matt Dillon and St. Edmond.
"It's been a great week of practice and the kids really have a good vibe going around them," Dillon said. "We've got to focus in on this one and after that we can worry about the postseason."
A win over Glidden-Ralston (3-4, 2-3) will keep them in the running for a potential home playoff game in the first round. Those pairings will be released Saturday morning.
Since a pair of losses to Audubon and GTRA, the Gaels have reeled off back-to-back wins, scoring 98 points during that span. They are averaging over 47 points per game and have one of the toughest schedules in the state, with their opponents holding a combined record of 35-22.
Sophomore Aaron Hindt is coming off his best game yet, rushing for 310 yards with four touchdowns vs. Colo-Nesco. He has 657 yards and nine scores on the season with senior Klay Baker adding 314 and nine more TDs.
Ethan Swisher, a junior, has thrown for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Grant Galles leads the team with 26 catches for 421 yards and five scores with Dominic McClain adding 227 yards receiving and Jakob Koopman 125 with five TDs between them.
Anchored by returning all-stater Adam Walker, the St. Edmond defense has six sacks, 54 tackles for loss, 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries. They have scored five defensive and five special teams touchdowns.
"Our defense has been outstanding this year," Dillon said. "They attack the ball and are excellent at causing turnovers."
The Wildcats are coming off a 48-6 victory vs. Coon Rapids-Bayard, snapping a three-game slide. Two of those losses came by a combined six points to district foes Baxter and Collins-Maxwell.
Senior quarterback Colby Wallace is a dual-threat, rushing for almost 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing for 440 with four scores. Waylon Hein and Lucas Christian, also seniors, both have over 100 yards rushing and are averaging better than five yards per carry.
Wallace ranks sixth in all of eight-player in rushing yards while his 22 rushing scores are tied for fourth-most.
"Wallace is the real deal," Dillon said. "He can make plays in the run game and also hurt you with his arm. We've got to stay focused and pay attention to the other guys when they get them involved also."
Dawson Majerus, a junior, is the leading receiver with 11 catches for 205 yards and two scores. Alex Daniel has 10 receptions and Christian has 96 yards one eight catches.
Glidden-Ralston's defense has 10 sacks and nine turnovers, including a defensive score.
The Wildcats went 6-3 a season ago to reach the postseason, earning a 62-16 win over St. Edmond. They fell to Exira-EHK in the opening round.