ROUTE 49 RIVALRY … Edgerton running back Orlando Puente turns up field after making a catch in the first quarter at Stauffer Field.
PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
KICKOFF RETURN … Edon’s Kadin Stantz looks for extra yards with Jackson Flower of Edgerton closing in.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
EDGERTON (August 22, 2025) – After losing their last two season openers to Edon, the Edgerton Bulldogs put it into high gear Friday night with a convincing 41-14 triumph over their Route 49 arch rivals at Stauffer Field.
It was a total team effort for the Bulldogs, led by three-year starting senior quarterback Maddox Baker, who provided much of the offensive firepower, especially in the first half after the Bulldogs had grabbed a decisive 27-0 halftime cushion.
“I thought it was a team win, and I think all three phases played incredibly well,” said Edgerton head coach Brody Flegal.
On Edgerton’s first offensive series, which started at their own 38-yard line, Baker got it started with an 11-yard run on the first play after forcing Edon to punt on its first series.
From there, Baker then connected with Karter Gibson on a 29-yard pass completion to the Edon 14-yard line.
Four plays later, on fourth and four at the Edon 9-yard line, Baker found Caden Sinclair for seven yards to the Edon 2-yard line.
On the next play, Baker, who scored the first of his four touchdowns in the game, tallied from two yards out on a quarterback keeper at the 7:57 mark of the first quarter.
Edgerton then capitalized on its defense, setting up another scoring drive.
Edon quarterback Briggs Gallehue found Lincoln Kiess on a short three-yard completion, but Bulldogs’ defensive back Parker Elden then jarred the ball loose from Kiess, and Jackson Flower then recovered it at the Edon 48-yard line.
That defensive play enabled the Bulldogs to strike again with Baker scoring on another two-yard run for a 14-0 lead with 3:26 remaining in the quarter.
Edgerton would then score twice late in the second quarter.
Baker capped off a 10-play, 73-yard drive with his third two-yard touchdown run of the night at the 3:08 mark of the first half.
The senior was 9 of 21 for 130 yards through the air and rushed for 60 yards on 16 carries.
With 32.7 seconds remaining in the half, Edgerton went four plays and 71 yards as Baker found wide receiver Kellen Sanchez, who was wide open in the endzone from 27 yards out, and a decisive 27-0 halftime lead.
“He’s a leader and a three-year starter,” pointed out the Edgerton coach in reference to his senior quarterback. “We expect a lot of him, and I thought he handled it incredibly well. He was able to throw and run the football and was a great defender on defense. I’m incredibly proud of him and all of our guys as a whole.”
Gallahue, who had completed 13 of 28 passes for 112 yards on the night, connected with Eli Dickmann on a five-yard scoring play to break up the Bulldogs’ shutout bid in the third quarter after the Bombers had forced a short 22-yard punt.
“I thought our defense did great and they were putting him (Gallahue) in third and fourth and long,” added the Edgerton coach. “I thought we got good pressure, our defensive backs played well, and we tackled well. When you do those things, you put yourself in position to be successful.”
Sanchez, who stood out in every phase for the Bulldogs, took advantage of a 38-yard punt return for his second touchdown of the night and a 34-8 lead with 1:07 left in the third quarter.
“We emphasize in all three areas, offense, defense, special teams,” noted Flegal. “We practice that, we scout that. Credit to our coaches and our players for buying in. That’s a big part tonight, and I thought that really swung back into our favor after they were hanging around a bit.”
The 6-0, 165-pound junior who finished with 95 yards on the ground on 12 carries and caught four passes for 67 yards for the Bulldogs, returned another punt 28 yards to the Edon 18-yard line, setting up another short touchdown run by Baker, this time from four yards out as Edgerton expanded its lead to 41-8 with 10:06 left in the game.
“Offensively in the second half, we sputtered a little bit,” admitted Flegal. “But our defense held pat, and our special teams was able to get a score on the board. It really helped turn the game back into our favor. Really proud of our guys and coaches to come out to get a win in week one.”
Edon freshman quarterback Jaron Grove would lead the Bombers on a four-play, 73-yard scoring drive, completing four passes, including a 32-yard touchdown pass to Cayden Thiel with 5.6 seconds remaining.
“They were ready, and we weren’t, and that’s pretty obvious,” said Edon head coach Bob Olwin. “Our kids played hard, and then we didn’t make any plays.
“We dropped interceptions, and we had penalties; they didn’t. All around, just a stinker of a game. I don’t know what to do with this group tonight.
“If we played like that, it’s not going to be a very good season. We’ve got to have someone to start leading this team.”
Both teams will return to action on Saturday night. Edon hosts Antwerp, and Edgerton visits Hilltop.
EDON 0 0 8 6- 14
EDGERTON 14 13 7 7-41
EDGERTON- Baker 2-yd run (Elden kick)
EDGERTON- Baker 2-yd run (Elden kick)
EDGERTON- Baker 2-yd run (kick failed)
EDGERTON- Sanchez 27-yd pass from Baker (Elden kick)
EDON- Dickmann 5-yd pass from Gallahue (Dickmann pass from Gallahue)
EDGERTON- Sanchez 38-yd punt return (Elden kick)
EDGERTON- Baker 4-yd run (Elden kick)
EDON- Thiel 32-yd pass from Grove (pass failed)