-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla St. Edmond’s Adam Walker fires GTRA Kasey Hough

When they look back on St. Edmond’s 2024 football season, head coach Matt Dillon hopes one key part of the group as a whole will be remembered.

“All these guys were kids who put the team first.” Said Dillon. “We didn’t have selfish guys on the team who only cared about themselves or their stats; they played for each other and worked hard, they were good teammates.

“That’s how I’ll remember this band.”

Six Gael players were on the eight-man District 9 first team, while four others were on the second, including one making honorable mention, the league announced recently.

“I’m so proud of all these guys.” Said Dillon. “I’m happy for them and happy that they got the recognition they deserved. They really helped build the kind of culture I wanted to create since I got here, and it started with the seniors.

Adam Walker, Quintin Jaeschke and Dominic McClain were first team all-caps as seniors, while juniors Grant Galles, Koleman Hanson and Jakob Koopman joined them. The second team consisted of senior Klay Baker, juniors Ethan Swisher and Max Webster, and sophomore Aaron Hindt.

St. Edmond’s other senior, Sam Myer, received honorable mention.

“Just an incredible group who have really done everything we asked of them over the last four years,” Said Dillon. “We put a lot of what we wanted to do on their shoulders and they kept their word.

“I hope we can continue to move this forward.”

The Gaels placed second in district and earned their first-ever playoff berth in an eight-player program. Their five wins were the most since 2020, when they last made the playoffs.

Walker, who earned all-state honors as a junior and was also named district lineman of the year, recorded 35 tackles with a district-leading 13.5 for loss and one sack . He started on both sides of the ball, helping St. Edmond’s offense total more than 1,700 yards and 32 touchdowns.

“Adam had quite a year for us and was a unanimous selection for District Lineman of the Year,” Said Dillon. “His importance to our team was evident in the playoff loss to Janesville.”

Jaeschke, also a two-way starter with Walker, had 37.5 tackles including 11.5 for loss and two sacks. He finished third in the district in tackles for loss.

“For Quintin to make the first team as a lineman and give us two says a lot about the quality of these guys. » Said Dillon. “He had a great season and I’m happy he was honored for that.”

McClain, starting at tight end and linebacker, had 11 receptions for 146 yards with three touchdowns while recording 38 tackles including two for loss and two interceptions.

“Dom is a kid who gave us everything he had on both sides of the ball,” Said Dillon. “He was always all over the field playing.”

Wales led the Gaels with 19 receptions for 249 yards and five touchdowns despite receiving attention from opposing defenses all year. He added some dynamic on special teams, returning three kickoffs for scores with 21.5 tackles and an interception returned for another touchdown.

“You can’t ignore what Grant brought to the table for us in the kick return game,” Said Dillon. “I’m not sure how much feedback we had for scores before this year, but I don’t think we had as much as Grant himself this year. He was also our No. 1 receiver and had another good year.

Hanson was also a difference maker on special teams, with 35 of his 46 kickoffs returning for touchbacks. He made both of his field goals, made 15 of 22 extra point attempts, recovered two fumbles for scores and made eight tackles for loss, which ranks fourth in the district.

“Just like Grant, what Koleman brought to our kicking game was so important. » Said Dillon. “Being able to force teams to start at 15 has really helped us win key games this year. »

Koopman caught five passes with 26.5 tackles and four stops for loss while adding 145 yards and two touchdowns on offense.

“Jakob had an exceptional season on both sides of the ball” Said Dillon. “I’m really excited to see what he can do next year.”

Baker was second on the team with 232 rushing yards and six touchdowns, adding seven receptions for 99 yards and two more scores through the air. He recorded 43 tackles with 29 solo stops and 4.5 for loss on defense.

“Klay was one of our leaders on and off the field.” Said Dillon. “Everything we needed from him, he gave it to us.”

Swisher, replacing JT Laufersweiler at quarterback, completed 62 percent of his passes for 699 yards with 12 touchdowns against just one interception for a QB rating of 188.6. He finished tied for first in the district in passing touchdowns and second in passing yards and completions.

“It’s tough to come in and take over for someone like JT, but Ethan has really grown into the quarterback position,” Said Dillon. “As the season went on, you could see how comfortable he felt there.”

Hindt became the No. 1 option out of the backfield, totaling 644 yards and 11 touchdowns on 80 carries. That included a 310-yard, four-touchdown game in the finale at Dodger Stadium last year.

“Aaron was a difference maker for us on offense that we absolutely needed,” Said Dillon. “His ability to open a play and take it to the end zone is special.”

Webster was the starting center on offense until a leg injury ended his season early. Myer had 33.5 tackles, including two for loss and an interception return on defense while scoring twice on offense.

“Max completed our offensive line with Adam and Quintin”, Said Dillon. “He was kind of the glue we needed from the start and it really hurt us when he came out.

“Sam was a kid who was banged up but still came out every week and gave us everything he had.”

Audubon’s Aaron Olsen was named Most Valuable Player, teammate Austin Christensen was named Defensive Player of the Year and Glidden-Ralston’s Colby Wallace was named District Offensive Player of the Year.

Walker, Myer, Wales, Webster, Koopman, Kinnick Henning, Ty Mericle, Griffin Laufersweiler, Hadyn Harman and Jacob Nieland were all named All-District Scholars.