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RUTHVEN – The St. Edmond football team begins what amounts to a three-game playoff push starting here on Thursday night.
The Gaels return to action following a bye week with a trip to GTRA.
Due to a shortage of officials, the game was moved up a day and will kick off at 7 p.m.
St. Edmond (2-3 overall, 2-1 in district) controls its own destiny for a return to the postseason with games against the Titans (2-3, 2-1), Harris-Lake Park (0-5, 0-3) and No. 9 Kingsley-Pierson 5-1, 4-0) on the schedule.
"Our goals are still right there for us to achieve," SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. "The kids have had a good couple of weeks of practice. We know it isn't going to be easy, but they are excited to get back out there."
The Gaels dropped a 63-0 decision to fifth-ranked Bishop Garrigan two weeks ago. They were scheduled to host Siouxland Christian last Friday, but the school merged with Remsen St. Mary's during the offseason.
That means St. Edmond is in the midst of an extended road trip that will see them play three straight away from Dodger Stadium. They return home to close out the season vs. Kingsley-Pierson on Oct. 16 after last playing at home on Sept. 11 against Remsen St. Mary's.
Junior quarterback Thomas Ehn leads the way on offense, as he has thrown for 970 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding 169 yards and three scores on the ground. Seniors Ty Mericle and Griffin Laufersweiler have been his favorite targets.
Mericle has 29 receptions for 403 yards with eight TDs; Laufersweiler has 27 catches for 273 and three touchdowns.
"We've had a good couple of weeks of practice," Dillon said. "We feel confident with the game plan and are ready to execute it."
GTRA counters with a similar pass-driven offense directed by sophomore Brooks Hanson. The first-year starter has completed 90 of 150 passes for 985 yards and nine touchdowns. Brady Harris has 20 receptions for 385 yards and four scores, with Jace Hough adding 26 catches for 257 yards and two TDs.
Both Cayden Wilson and Landen Dietrich have double-digit reception totals. Jaxson Nock leads the ground game with 306 yards and six touchdowns.
Dietrich has 155 and four scores.
The Titan defense has recorded 13 sacks, 34.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, and a score on a fumble recovery this year. Nock also has a kickoff return for a touchdown.
GTRA leads the all-time series over St. Edmond, 4-1, winning the past two. Last year, the Titans prevailed, 66-44, after earning a 54-46 victory in 2024.
The lone Gael win came in 2023 by a final score of 46-36.