Six diocesan teams make football playoffs

November 25, 2004

This was a great football year for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City. Six of the seven football teams in the diocese made it to football playoffs. One of the diocesan Catholic high schools does not have a team.

Remsen St. Mary's

Remsen St. Mary's won the state championship on Nov. 20 in Cedar Falls. The team beat Adair-Casey 56-8.

Bishop Garrigan High School, Algona

In the first round of playoffers Bishop Garrigan defeated Turkey Valley 16-8. Garrigan held Turkey Valley to 153 total yards and forced 3 turnovers. This victory broke Turkey Valley's 13 game winning streak. In the second round Bishop Garrigan lost in a heartbreaker against Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 30-31 at UNI Dome. Garrigan overcame a 10-point deficit in the third quarter to go ahead in the fourth quarter 30-24. Gladbrook came back and scored with :55 seconds left in the game after two penalties put Gladbrook at the Garrigan 12.

Garrigan's record 9-2 overall 6-1 in district play. The team was led by head coach Marty Wadle. Ron Patterson was the defensive coordinator. Assistant coaches include Dave Wieland, a Kuemper High School grad; Joe Capesius, Garrigan High School '88; Deacon Bob Larsen, Steve Becker, another Garrigan High School grad; and Mark Kollasch, who graduated from Garrigan High School in 1995.

Kuemper Catholic High School, Carroll

Kuemper High School in Carroll made the playoffs this fall and played at Clarinda High School on Nov. 3. Kuemper lost the game 27-7. After a slow 0-4 start on the season, Kuemper rallied to finish second in District 8, 2A. Kuemper last made the playoffs in 1998. The Knights are coached by Bob Urwin, assistants include: Mark McCrea, Todd Kanne, Andy Ahrenholtz, Travis Hilgenberg and Joe Roetker. Volunteers are Russ Steinkamp and Tim Rial.

St. Edmond, Fort Dodge

The St. Edmond Gaels had an overall record of 8-3 going into the first round of playoffs. The team was matched up with Emmetsburg were they lost the game with an ending score of 20-7. Dick Tighe, who was names a 2A District Football Coach of the Year, coached the team this season. Joel Allen and Jon Koenig, both defensive backs, were named All-State Football.

Gehlen High School, Le Mars

The Jays were 7-2 in the regular season. Runnerup in District 8 Class A. Qualified for the playoffs. The Jays played eventual Class A Champion West Bend Mallard in the 1st round of the playoffs on November 3rd in West Bend. Lost 38-6 to finish 7-3. The Gehlen football team was coached by Co-Head Coaches Tony Gunter and Erv Whitehead. Assistant Coaches were Paul Ellensohn and Steve Sand.

Bishop Heelan High School, Sioux City

Bishop Heelan finished the year 9-2 and was crowned MRAC Conference Champion. In the 4A playoffs, the Crusaders defeated Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln in Round 1 on Nov. 3 at Heelan by a score of 48-21. The Crusaders were then defeated by Ankeny 28-7 (Nov 8 @ Heelan) in the 4A Quarterfinals. Heelan's lone regular season loss came at the hands of two-time Defending 4A champion West Des Moines Valley. This marked Heelan's 25th trip to the state football playoffs in the last 30 years; and their fifth straight. Heelan was coached by Roger Jansen, Bill Hoss, Jerry Steffen, Matt Lafluer and Larry Simon.