Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Aaron Hindt of St. Edmond makes a catch for a touchdown against GTRA on Friday inside Dodgers. Stadium.

The St. Edmond football team battled with a Top-10 opponent for the better part of four quarters here Friday night inside Dodger Stadium on Homecoming.

In the end, though, a key injury and some ill-timed penalties led to a 66-44 win for seventh-ranked GTRA.

The Gaels (3-3 overall, 3-1 in district) remain in control of their own postseason destiny despite the loss, needing a win either next week vs. Harris-Lake Park or in the regular season finale at Kingsley-Pierson on Oct. 17.

“It stings, especially considering just how well we played,” SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. “But at the end of the day, we have to regroup, rest up and get ready for Harris-Lake Park.”

Behind a 373-yard passing performance by Teagan Hanson, the Titans (6-0, 4-0) erased a 32-28 halftime deficit, as Hanson had four passing touchdowns after the break.

Hanson finished 19-for-32, throwing six touchdowns in all while adding 65 yards rushing. Kenny Ness had six receptions for 162 yards and four total touchdowns, as Jaxson Schnell caught eight passes for 151.

“That is as talented of an offense at the quarterback and receiver positions as you will see,” Dillon said. “Hanson makes throws that you just don’t see a high school quarterback make. We had good coverage several times and they just made a better play.”

For St. Edmond, Aaron Hindt surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards, scoring four times, including a 60-yard kickoff return that gave the Gaels their last lead at 38-36 early in the third.

Hindt had 45 yards receiving and 37 yards rushing, scoring on a pair of TD passes from Ethan Swisher, who missed the second half after sustaining an injury. Swisher was 16 of 31 for 197 yards over the opening 24 minutes.

“I thought we saw just what Ethan is capable of out there,” Dillon said. “He was having one of his best games before getting hurt. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go next week, but if not, we’ll have Thomas Ehn ready to step in.”

Grant Galles, who caught seven passes for 63 yards, replaced Swisher at quarterback to begin the second half. Ehn came on during the final drive after Galles was injured.

“It wasn’t what we had planned, but I thought Grant came in and did everything he could for us,” Dillon said. “I didn’t think it was fair to put Thomas in a difficult situation like that. We want to build his confidence up the right way.”

The Titans started fast, recovering a fumble on the first offensive play from scrimmage by St. Edmond, taking a 14-0 lead less than six minutes in. But the Gaels dug deep, as Kinnick Henning scored before the end of the first and Koleman Hanson recorded a safety to cut a 20-8 lead to 10.

Henning had his second TD in a span of four minutes, and back-to-back Swisher-to-Hindt touchdown passes in the final four minutes of the half gave St. Edmond a lead.

Jakob Koopman finished with 10 receptions for 112 yards while Ty Mericle caught three passes for 30. Henning had 48 yards rushing and caught a pass.

On defense, Henning and Matthew Crimmins both recorded sacks, as Galles picked off a pass.

The game featured 46 first downs and 31 accepted penalties for 230 yards.

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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing — St. Edmond: Kinnick Henning 11-48, Aaron Hindt 9-37, Grant Galles 9-28, Ethan Swisher 4-21. GTRA: Teagan Hanson 10-65, Kenny Ness 9-51, Caleb Swedin 5-33, Jaxson Schnell 1-2, Team 6-(minus-16).

Passing — St. Edmond: Ethan Swisher 16-31-0-197, Grant Galles 5-7-1-43, Thomas Ehn 2-3-1-21. GTRA: Teagan Hanson 19-32-1-373.

Receiving — St. Edmond: Jakob Koopman 10-112, Grant Galles 7-63, Aaron Hindt 2-45, Ty Mericle 3-30, Kinnick Henning 1-8. GTRA: Kenny Ness 6-162, Jaxson Schnell 8-151, Caleb Swedin 5-60.