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ALGONA – One of the longest-standing Catholic school rivalries in Iowa high school history returns to the football field on Thursday night when St. Edmond visits defending state champion Bishop Garrigan.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Officials from both schools made the decision to move the contest up 24 hours due to expected inclement weather on Friday.
The Golden Bears (3-0 overall) lead the all-time series, 42-24, winning the last two after the Gaels (2-2) reeled off four consecutive wins. The two squared off for the first time in 1959 and have played each of the past 18 years, with St. Edmond winning 11 of those encounters.
Following a pair of wins over Newell-Fonda and Glidden-Ralston, the Gaels fell to Remsen St. Mary's at home last week, 84-34. Thomas Ehn ranks first in the state with 17 passing touchdowns, completing 63 of 117 for 863 yards. He also has 168 yards rushing and three scores.
"We played timid against Remsen St. Mary's," SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. "Obviously, this is another tall task against a very good, very physical and well-coached Garrigan team. But I think we'll see our guys come out and fight and play hard.
"We can't worry about where Garrigan is ranked or any of that; we just need to play better ourselves, especially if we want to be competing for a playoff spot."
Ty Mericle is Ehn’s favorite target, as the senior has 25 receptions for 377 yards with eight TDs. Matthew Crimmins has rushed for 326 yards on 69 attempts. Mericle is tied for second among all players in touchdowns, fourth in receptions and eighth in yards.
Garrigan has looked the part of a team poised for a fourth straight run to the UNI-Dome, besting Kingsley-Pierson, Riceville and North Iowa by a combined point differential of 177-41.
"We've been working on cleaning up the little mistakes like procedure calls, offsides…stuff like that," BGHS head coach Marty Wadle said. "Even though a lot of these kids have played the last couple of years, many of them are in new positions or taking on new leadership roles."
Michael Joyce has taken over at quarterback for the Bears, rushing for 156 yards and three TDs while throwing for 275 and two scores. CJ McGregor is the leading rusher with 506 yards and nine touchdowns on just 38 carries.
Carter Cink has 242 rushing yards and six TDs.
The Golden Bear defense has recorded eight turnovers. Titan Troyer and Madden Miller are Garrigan’s top tacklers.