Gaels kicking off season early

St. Edmond football team takes on West Bend-Mallard

The 2026 season for the St. Edmond football team starts early this year.

The Gaels are in one of just two games being played in Iowa on Thursday night, as they welcome West Bend-Mallard to Dodger Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

When Siouxland Christian opted to merge with Remsen St. Mary's, the opening in the schedule allowed St. Edmond (0-0 overall) to add an extra game. They decided to play in “Week Zero,” and the Wolverines (0-0) agreed to be their opponent.

"We need to get on the field as soon as possible," SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. "With a lot of turnover on the roster from a year ago, this added game before the district race starts is vital.

"I feel like we've gotten better and better each practice so far, and I feel like that is something we'll be going through all season as we work to improve."

The Gaels earned a second consecutive playoff bid last fall, finishing 5-4 for the second straight season. They have not had a losing record since 2021, going 18-16 during that span.

Among the new faces will be junior Thomas Ehn, as he replaces two-year starter Ethan Swisher at quarterback. Ehn will be joined in the backfield by Matthew Crimmins, a classmate who rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.

Ty Mericle, one of three seniors alongside Griffin Laufersweiler and Jacob Nieland, returns at split end after catching 14 passes for 142 yards in 2025. Laufersweiler will alternate with Mericle at the position, while Nieland anchors the offensive line next to Julian Blanco and Hunter Singer.

Blake Bartlett gets the start at tight end. Coltin Fevold is at wingback.

"We're going to be a different team this year on offense," Dillon said. "We've got to avoid turnovers and work to put drives together. When we do have the opportunity to go deep in the pass game, we've got to convert.

"It's going to be a work in progress, but I like the team we have."

Nieland, Blanco and Bartlett are joined on the defensive side of the ball by Fevold, Crimmins, Ehn, Mericle and Laufersweiler. Ehn will also handle kicking and punting duties.

West Bend-Mallard went 3-5 last year, ending a run of three consecutive winning campaigns. The Wolverines return quarterback Trent Morey, as the senior threw for 561 yards and ran for 540 with 16 total touchdowns in 2025.

Abner Zaugg had over 200 yards receiving and six scores last fall, while both Cesar Falcon and Grady Goddard had over 100 yards receiving.

"They've got some good players, are well-coached and physical," Dillon said. "We'll have to come out ready to go and match that style of play."

Carter Stalzer, Zaugg, Goddard and Falcon are all top tacklers back for head coach Tyson Wirtz’s Wolverines, as Zaugg recorded nine tackles for loss.

This is the first meeting between the two schools since 2022. West Bend-Mallard won that encounter, 66-22, and rolled the year before, 70-26.