-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Grant Galles of St. Edmond celebrates after running back a punt return against Newell-Fonda

Grant Galles burst onto the scene as a sophomore for the St. Edmond football team, making headlines in a variety of ways.

Now, two years later, the Gael senior has wrapped up his high school career on the gridiron in the perfect way by being tabbed an all-stater.

Galles was named to the Iowa Football Coaches Association eight-player second team as a returner.

Sixteen other area players were also named by the IFCA, led by the player of the year in eight-player, Tate Foertsch of Bishop Garrigan.

Foertsch, who led the Golden Bears to a second state championship in three seasons, was one of five picks for Bishop Garrigan. he was joined by first team selections Western Rosenmeyer and Carter Schwab on offense, along with Ethan Marso and Michael Joyce on defense.

Nate Leerar was a second team offensive choice.

From Humboldt, Chase Flaherty, Jack Guy and Cael Donahe made the first-team, as Broedy Hendricks was picked to the second in 3A. Webster City’s Cole Nohrenberg made the first and Jaxon Griffith the second.

In 1A, Huxley Lingenfelter from Clarion-Goldfield/Dows was placed on the first-team, as teammate Joel Meier, Coy Moline from Manson Northwest Webster and Ryan Wirtz of Emmetsburg made the second.

Galles helped St. Edmond to a district runner-up finish and second consecutive playoff bid this past fall. He had 31 receptions for 333 yards and five touchdowns, ran for 89 yards and a score, and made 20 tackles on defense with five interceptions, a sack and 3.5 for loss, returning two of those picks for scores.

On special teams, Galles averaged 18 yards per kickoff return and 15 yards per punt return, taking two back for scores.

“It means a lot to me,” Galles said. “All the hard work paid off and I would not be able to do it without having great teammates, coaches and family that have supported me throughout my high school career.

“Coach (Rod) Riessen helped me a lot becoming a great receiver and defensive back. This has always been something that I’ve wanted to accomplish ever since I stepped onto the football field. It’s a great honor to go out this way.”

Other players of the year were Reece Rettig of Iowa City Liberty in 5A, Caden Klein from Newton in 4A, Austin Waldera of Nevada in 3A, Brock Badding from Carroll Kuemper in 2A, Judd Jirovsky of Grundy Center in 1A and Korben Michels from Saint Ansgar in A.

IOWA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL-STATE TEAMS

(Area selections only)

Class 3A

First Team

Offense

Chase Flaherty, Humboldt, WR; Jack Guy, Humboldt, OL; Cole Nohrenberg, Webster City, OL.

Defense

Cael Donahe, Humboldt, LB.

Second Team

Defense

Broedy Hendricks, Humboldt, DL; Jaxon Griffith, Webster City, Ret.

Class 1A

First Team

Defense

Huxley Lingenfelter, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, LB.

Second Team

Offense

Joel Meier, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, RB; Coy Moline, Manson Northwest Webster, RB.

Defense

Ryan Wirtz, Emmetsburg, DL.

Eight-Player

First Team

Offense

Weston Rosenmeyer, Bishop Garrigan, TE/FB; Carter Schwab, Bishop Garrigan, OL.

Defense

Ethan Marso, Bishop Garrigan, LB; Michael Joyce, Bishop Garrigan, DB.

Second Team

Offense

Nate Leerar, Bishop Garrigan, OL.

Defense

Grant Galles, St. Edmond, Ret.