FINAL NIGHT
Dillon coaches final game for Gaels
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Thomas Ehn of St. Edmond scramble for first down against Kingsley-Pierson on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jack Webster of St. Edmond attempt to catch a pass against Kingsley-Pierson on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Griffin Laufersweiler of St. Edmond breaks a tackle against Kingsley-Pierson on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Thomas Ehn of St. Edmond scramble for first down against Kingsley-Pierson on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jack Webster of St. Edmond attempt to catch a pass against Kingsley-Pierson on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Griffin Laufersweiler of St. Edmond breaks a tackle against Kingsley-Pierson on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.
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The Matt Dillon era at St. Edmond football ended Friday night.
Kingsley-Pierson put an exclamation point on its district championship with a convincing 67-8 victory inside Dodger Stadium. The Panthers (7-1 overall, 6-0 in district) scored on their first four possessions in taking complete control early.
Earlier this week, Dillon announced that this would be his final season as head coach of the Gaels (4-4, 3-3), who made multiple playoff appearances under his guidance.
"I wish it could have ended on a better note," Dillon said. "We've had some good years and great wins here during our time together. I'm not entirely sure what is next for my wife (Marva) and I, but I know I'm going to miss this."
In his nine-year career with the Gaels, Dillon went 36-39 overall, for 223 career wins over a run spanning four-plus decades. He led Dowling to back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2000 and '01 while also coaching in Florida, Montana and Georgia.
Dillon was honored at halftime, with a video featuring several of his former players paying respect to the head coach.
Senior Griffin Laufersweiler scored on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Ehn in the fourth to get St. Edmond on the board. Laufersweiler darted his way through several Kingsley-Pierson defenders before reaching paydirt.
Jacob Nieland, another senior, caught the two-point conversion on a trick play.
Ehn finished with 123 yards passing and the TD to Laufersweiler, who had three receptions for 100 yards.
"Those guys gave us everything they had this year," Dillon said. "I'm proud of them and hope that the underclassmen work hard over the offseason and come back stronger next year. They understand what it is going to take to compete at a high level."
The Panthers struck on their first play from scrimmage, as Eli Schroeder hit Sam Doeschot on a 49-yard pass. The two connected again later in the opening quarter from 53 yards out.
Schroeder was 8-for-10 in the first 24 minutes, throwing for 180 yards and four passing touchdowns with a rushing score. Wyatt Klaschen had a rushing score and Darius Rasmussen added a pick-6 during the scoring onslaught.
Rasmussen ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.
The game marked the final one for St. Edmond seniors Laufersweiler, Ty Mericle and Nieland. They were part of two playoff appearances and 14 wins the past three seasons.
As the district champion, Kingsley-Pierson will now await its postseason opponent. Those pairings will be announced by the IAHSAA on Saturday morning.