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ALGONA – For the better part of the past three seasons, Bishop Garrigan has been the benchmark when it comes to eight-player football.
The Golden Bears graduated a deep and talented senior class after winning their second state title in three seasons last year. But legendary BGHS head coach Marty Wadle simply reloaded and fine-tuned his roster into another contender this fall.
Bishop Garrigan scored early and often in claiming a dominating 63-0 victory over St. Edmond here Thursday night. Officials moved the contest up a day due to inclement weather in the forecast.
"The kids played well," Wadle said. "They wanted to come out and set the tone right away. We weren't necessarily looking for the big play, but it was there and we capitalized."
The Golden Bears (4-0 overall) have not lost a regular-season game since 2023, when they fell to the Gaels (2-3) on the road. They have now won 27 straight in the regular season and 16 in a row overall, dating back to a 2024 loss in the state semifinals.
On the opening kickoff of Homecoming, Dalton Klenz returned it for a score. On the first offensive play from scrimmage, Mike Joyce hit Brad Meister on a 66-yard touchdown.
Joyce added a punt return for a score after a quick three-and-out by the Gaels, with CJ McGregor recording touchdown runs of 61 and 33 yards. Carter Cink had a 63-yard run to paydirt and Joyce found Meister again and Weston Rosenmeyer before halftime.
Bishop Garrigan ran five plays from scrimmage in the first half, recording 286 yards of offense while building a 55-0 lead.
"We take a lot of pride in what we do here at Bishop Garrigan," Wadle said. "These kids understand the tradition they are carrying on. They practice hard and come ready to play each week."
St. Edmond, down three starters coming into the night, faced an uphill battle. Thomas Ehn completed 14 of 36 for 114 yards and three interceptions. He was held without a passing touchdown for the first time this season.
Griffin Laufersweiler caught nine passes for 84 yards, as Ty Mericle had four for 25 and Gavin McClain caught a pass for five yards with 20 yards rushing.
"It's been a tough two weeks for us with Garrigan and Remsen St. Mary's," SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. "But we still have our goals out there for us to obtain. We've got to regroup and come back, taking advantage of the time we have to get healthy and back to work."
For the Golden Bears, Joyce finished 3-for-3 for 169 yards and three touchdowns, adding his punt return for a score. McGregor had 94 yards rushing and two TDs while Cink finished with 73. None played in the second half.
Meister recorded two receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
Bishop Garrigan heads to Bedford in a key showdown on Friday while St. Edmond is off until Thursday, Oct. 1 when they travel to GTRA.