Photo courtesy of the IHSAA: Bishop Garrigan players (left to right) Tate Foertsch, Michael Joyce and Karson Kramer celebrate a touchdown on Wednesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

CEDAR FALLS — The state semifinal schedule has been set in stone for the past three seasons at Bishop Garrigan, and it’s worked to perfection.

Arrive at the school at 4:20 a.m.

Breakfast at 4:30 a.m.

Pray.

Load the bus at 5:20 a.m. Arrive at the UNI-Dome a little over two hours later.

Nothing changes, and it’s by design due to the level of success. The Golden Bears have followed this routine each of the last three years, and it’s now produced a pair of championship-game berths at the eight-player level.

On Wednesday, Garrigan distanced itself from Audubon by a score of 60-36.

“This is football. You just have to go out and do it,” said Golden Bear head coach Marty Wadle. “Playing early isn’t a big deal (compared to normal evening kickoffs) for us, because we’ve done it (the last three seasons) and we know what it takes both physically and mentally.

“Afterward, they can go home and go to bed or do whatever they want. Fortunately, they have the experience of going through the process. They know what to expect, which I think really helps.”

Now the top-ranked Golden Bears (12-0 overall) will be in search of a second state title in three years. The Golden Bears will play next Thursday at 9:30 a.m. against Woodbine (11-0) — a 38-30 semifinal winner over Gladbrook-Reinbeck.

“The seniors especially were ready to go after winning a title as sophomores,” Wadle said. “A lot of whiskers have grown on these kids (the veterans) and spread to the younger players.

“We have three sophomores who have played a lot this year and have been a big part of this as well.”

The Golden Bears have been known for their offensive prowess, and in the semifinals it was there again, but the defense also took center stage.

The two teams had nearly the same offensive output on paper Wednesday, with Garrigan at 297 yards and the Wheelers at 246, but the Bears had six takeaways and didn’t give up any.

Bishop Garrigan recovered three fumbles, a muffed kickoff and also recorded two interceptions.

Carter Schwab, Weston Rosenmeyer and Matt Besch recovered fumbles, while Tate Foertsch and Madden Miller had interceptions.

The Golden Bears turned four of those turnovers into 30 points, gaining 113 yards on the giveaways.

“The defense played really well. They gave up some points, but they were all in,” Wadle said. “Defensive coordinator Brian Patterson had a great scheme, and the kids were so prepared. They planned their objectives and knew their assignments.

“They like to play team defense. It’s a big part of who they are.”

Senior Ethan Marso started the scoring on a one-yard run, and later added a two-yard plunge for a 14-8 lead.

Foertsch — like Marso, a three-year starter — had a strong day both on the ground and through the air again to help lead Garrigan.

“Tate has done so much the last three years as a starter,” Wadle said. “Coach (John) Kesserling has a great offensive scheme ready for what we are going to do, and Tate responds to that.

“He’s a smart player and a lot stronger than people think. He knows what is expected of him and goes and gets it done.”

Foertsch had three touchdown runs and threw for three more. His first score came after a Wheeler turnover, as he ran the ball in from nine yards out to break a 14-14 tie with 40 seconds left in the second period.

On the next possession, the Wheelers fumbled the ball. Foertsch then threw a six-yard scoring strike to Madden Miller for a 30-14 halftime lead.

Early in the third period, Foertsch found Michael Joyce on a 38-yard strike for a 38-14 advantage. Foertsch then put the Bears up 44-20 on a two-yard run, and pushed it to 52-28 with a one-yard jaunt.

The final Garrigan score came with over six minutes left in the fourth on a Foertsch 33-yard pass to Weston Rosemyer.

Foertsch was just 4-for-5 passing, but three of his completions went for the scores. He had 80 yards through the air.

“It means the world to see our work pay off and make it back to the finals (like in 2023),” Foertsch said. “This team is relentless and just gets the job done.”

Marso toted the ball 29 times for 112 yards. Foertsch had 73 yards on 15 carries, and CJ McGregor had 29 yards.

Rosenmeyer had two grabs for 36 yards.

Marso led the defense with nine tackles and a forced fumble. McGregor had 6.5 tackles, while Foertsch and Miller contributed 5.5 each.

“Ethan is a strong kid and gives you everything he has,” Wadle said. “Ethan does what he is supposed to and takes coaching very well.

“All of these kids play hard. We are a physical team. The biggest unsung hero of this team is the offensive line. They did very good things (Wednesday). Kayden Graves, Carter Schwab, Nate Leerar, Rosenmeyer, Madden Miller, Hayden Miler and Karson Kramer did a tremendous job.”

A BG

First downs 18 21

Rushes-yards 44-204 53-217

Passing yards 42 80

Comp-Att-Int 5-10-2 4-5-0

Total Yards 246 297

Punts-Avg. 0-0 0-0

Fumbles-Lost 4-4 0-0

Penalties-Yards 5-34 5-35

Audubon 8 6 6 16 — 36

Bishop Garrigan 6 24 14 16 — 60

Scoring Summary

Garrigan — Ethan Marso (1-yard run), 8:51 left first. Two-point conversion failed.

Audubon — Aiden Kjergaard (5-yard run), 3:52 left first. Kjergaard two-point conversion.

Garrigan — Marso (2-yard run), 11:28 left second. Tate Foertsch two-point converison.

Audubon — Kjergaard (44-yard run), 8:47 left second. Two-point conversion failed.

Garrigan — Foertsch (9-yard run), :40 left second. Foertsch two-point conversion.

Garrigan — Madden Miller (6-yard pass from Foertsch), :05 left second. Two-point conversion catch (Foertsch to Miller).

Garrigan — Michael Joyce (38-yard pass from Foertsch), 9:26 left third. Marso two-point conversion.

Audubon — Jorgen Nowatzke (72-yard kickoff return), 9:17 left third. Two-point conversion failed.

Garrigan — Foertsch (2-yard run), 3:35 left third. Kick failed.

Audubon — Carson Wessels (4-yard run), 11:48 left fourth. Hudson Hocker two-point conversion.

Garrigan — Foertsch (1-yard run), 7:03 left fourth. Miller two-point conversion.

Garrigan — Weston Rosemeyer (33-yard pass from Foertsch), 6:54 left fourth. Marso two-point conversion.

Audubon — Kjergaard (3-yard run), 3:02 left fourth. Hayden Larson two-point conversion.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing — Audubon: Aiden Kjergaard 27-151, Mason Kasperbauer 9-59, Carson Wessel 5-17, Karter Obermeier 2-(minus-1), Team 1-(minus-22); Bishop Garrigan: Ethan Marso 29-112, Tate Foertsch 15-73, CJ McGregor 5-29, Michael Joyce 1-6, Team 3-(minus-3).

Passing — Audubon: Aiden Kjergaard 5-9-1-42, Carson Wessel 0-1-1-0. Bishop Garrigan: Tate Foertsch 4-5-0-80.

Receiving — Audubon: Brody Weber 2-25, Austin Christensen 2-12, Mason Kasperbauer 1-5; Bishop Garrigan: Michael Joyce 1-38, Weston Rosenmeyer 2-36, Madden Miller 1-6.