-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Adam Walker of St. Edmond sacks GTRA Kasey Hough

When they look back on the 2024 St. Edmond football season, head coach Matt Dillon hopes one key thing is remembered about the group as a whole.

“All of those guys were team-first kids,” Dillon said. “We had no selfish guys on the team that were worried only about themselves or stats; they were playing for each other and were hard working, good teammates.

“That is how I’ll remember this group.”

Six Gael players made the eight-player, District 9 first team while four more were on the second, with one making honorable mention, the league announced recently.

“I’m just so proud of all those guys,” Dillon said. “I’m happy for them and happy they got the recognition they deserved. They really helped build the kind of culture I’ve wanted to create since I came here, and that started with the seniors.”

Adam Walker, Quintin Jaeschke and Dominic McClain were three first team all selections as seniors, while juniors Grant Galles, Koleman Hanson and Jakob Koopman joined them. Making the second team was senior Klay Baker, juniors Ethan Swisher and Max Webster, and sophomore Aaron Hindt.

The other St. Edmond senior, Sam Myer, was named honorable mention.

“Just an incredible group that really did everything we’ve asked of them for these past four years,” Dillon said. “We put a lot of what we wanted to do on their shoulders and they delivered.

“Hopefully, we can continue moving that all forward.”

The Gaels placed second in the district and secured their first-ever playoff berth as an eight-player program. Their five wins were the most since 2020, when they last made the postseason.

Walker, who earned all-state honors as a junior and was also tabbed the lineman of the year in the district, recorded 35 tackles with a district-leading 13.5 for loss and a sack. He was a starter on both sides of the ball, helping the St. Edmond offense account for over 1,700 yards and 32 touchdowns.

“Adam had quite the year for us and was a unanimous selection for lineman of the year in the district,” Dillon said. “His importance to our team was evident in the playoff loss to Janesville.”

Jaeschke, a two-way starter on the line as well with Walker, had 37.5 tackles with 11.5 for loss and two sacks. He was third in the district in tackles for loss.

“For Quintin to make the first team as a lineman and give us two really says a lot about how great those guys were,” Dillon said. “He had a great season and I’m happy he was honored for that.”

McClain, a starter at tight end and at linebacker, had 11 receptions for 146 yards with three touchdowns while recording 38 tackles with two for loss and two interceptions.

“Dom is a kid who gave us everything he had on both sides of the ball,” Dillon said. “He was always all over the field making plays.”

Galles led the Gaels with 19 receptions for 249 yards and five touchdowns despite getting the attention of opposing defenses all year. He added quite the dynamic on special teams, returning three kickoffs for scores with 21.5 tackles and an interception returned for another TD.

“You cannot ignore what Grant brought to the kick return game for us,” Dillon said. “I’m not sure how many returns we had for scores before this year, but I don’t think we had as many as Grant had by himself this year. He also was our No. 1 receiver and had another strong year.”

Hanson was also a difference maker on special teams, with 35 of his 46 kickoffs returning in touchbacks. He made both of his field goals, was 15 of 22 on extra-point attempts, had two fumble recoveries for scores and made eight tackles for loss, which ranked fourth in the district.

“Much like Grant, what Koleman brought to our kicking game was so important,” Dillon said. “Being able to force teams to start at their own 15 really helped us win some key games this year.”

Koopman picked off five passes with 26.5 tackles and four stops for loss while adding 145 yards and two touchdowns on offense.

“Jakob had an outstanding season on both sides of the ball,” Dillon said. “I’m really excited to see what he can do next year.”

Baker was second on the team with 232 yards rushing and six touchdowns, adding seven receptions for 99 yards and two more scores in the air. He recorded 43 tackles with 29 solo stops and 4.5 for loss on defense.

“Klay was one of our leaders on and off the field,” Dillon said. “Whatever we needed from him, he gave it to us.”

Swisher, replacing JT Laufersweiler at quarterback, completed 62 percent of his passes for 699 yards with 12 touchdowns against just one interception for a QB rating of 188.6. He tied for first in the district in passing TDs and was second in passing yards and completions.

“It’s tough coming in and taking over for someone like JT but Ethan really grew into the quarterback position,” Dillon said. “You could see it as the season went on how comfortable he got out there.”

Hindt became the No. 1 option out of the backfield, rushing for 644 yards and 11 touchdowns on 80 carries. That included a 310-yard, four-TD game in the final contest at Dodger Stadium this past year.

“Aaron was a difference for us on offense that we definitely needed,” Dillon said. “His ability to break a play open and take it to the end zone is special.”

Webster was the starting center on offense until a leg injury ended his season early. Myer had 33.5 tackles with two for loss and an interception return on defense while scoring twice on offense.

“Max completed our offensive line with Adam and Quintin,” Dillon said. “He was sort of the glue that we needed up front and it really hurt us when he went out.

“Sam was a kid that was banged up but still went out there each week and gave us everything he had.”

Audubon’s Aaron Olsen was tabbed most valuable player, teammate Austin Christensen earned defensive player of the year and Colby Wallace of Glidden-Ralston was offensive player of the year within the district.

Walker, Myer, Galles, Webster, Koopman, Kinnick Henning, Ty Mericle, Griffin Laufersweiler, Hadyn Harman and Jacob Nieland were all named academic all-district.