Football

Cardinals Set Out to Defend 9B Title Behind their Electric Seniors

by
Wyatt Baumberger
August 13, 2026

A season ago, St Mary’s hoisted the 9B State Championship trophy for just the second time in school history. With a 12-0 finish, and a 54-6 dismantling of the Avon Pirates in the title game, the Cards capped off a dominant season. The Cards outscored opponents 614-111, averaging 51 points per game to only 9 allowed enroute to their state championship. This year, the Cardinals set out to defend their 9B title behind their electric seniors.

The 2026 St Mary’s Cardinal Football Team-Top Row From Left: Coach Ross Flemmer, Theo Miller, Colter Griffin, Isaac Ahlers, Logan Bauer, Gavin Pica, Alex Lindeman, Jaxon Baumberger, Brady Jewett, Josh Liebl, Isaac Griffin, Jacob Geraets, Logan Robinson, Coach Scott Lebrun, and Coach Alan Hough-Middle Row From Left: Coach Nathan Lindeman, Eric Lindeman, Pano Skliris, Aaden Ehrichs, Kade Lutt, Jacob Flemmer, Jake Heintiz, Thomas Lavoy, Joe Bares, Hudson Comstock, Liam Barr, Dante Meyer, and Coach Blaine Bacon-Bottom Row From Left: Zane Kuhl, Bronc Geraets, Welles Hough, Cooper Libis, Gus Herber, Jonah McNaughton, Eric Bares, Eli Meyers, Keldon Barr, and James Heinemann

Meet the Seniors

St. Mary’s Seniors: From Left, Top to Bottom-Jaxon Baumberger, Jacob Flemmer, Joe Bares, Alex Lindeman, Aaden Ehrichs, Josh Liebl, Logan Bauer, Jake Heinitz, Kade Lutt, Brady Jewett, Thomas Lavoy, and Gavin Pica

Even after an incredible season, St Mary’s football only parted with three seniors. Although those three were all all-state athletes a season ago, the Cardinals return a surprising amount of their core. Included in the players returning are four seniors who were all-state players last year. These athletes are Logan Bauer (TE/LB), Jaxon Baumberger (WR/DB), Alex Lindeman (OL/DL), and Gavin Pica (OL/DL). Other seniors include Thomas Lavoy (RB/DB), Kade Lutt (FB/LB), Jake Heinitz (WR/DB), Josh Liebl (TE/DE), and Jacob Flemmer (WR/DB), all of whom started at some point throughout the year for the Cards, other seniors include Joe Bares (OL/DL) who was sidelined most of last year with a knee injury, and Aaden Ehrichs (TE/DE). Also joining this group of St Mary’s seniors is Brady Jewett (QB/DB), a transfer from Tri-Valley. This group will be monumental as the Cardinals set out to defend their 9B title.

The Offense

To look at some of the stats from the seniors, they have some great numbers. As a junior, Jewett threw for 1,375 yards and 12 touchdowns through ten games in class 11A. He also had game highs of 304 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns. Lavoy is primed for a breakout season, he has been the number three back since his sophomore year and will now be given the chance to carry a higher workload. As a junior, he ran for 477 yards and 5 touchdowns on just 26 carries, while also wearing a club on his hand for half of the season. St Mary’s will have great speed with Heinitz, Baumberger, and Flemmer on the perimeters, all three were part of relays at the state track meet last spring.

Bauer will be another focal point of the Cardinal offense, as a junior he hauled in 13 passes for 483 yards and 9 touchdowns. Lindeman will be the anchor of the Cardinals offensive line. The future USD Coyote was a huge reason why the Cards averaged 310 rushing yards per game last season. All of these athletes excel in several sports. Lavoy, Heinitz, and Bauer made up three of the four legs of the state champion 4x100m dash relay team. Flemmer and Baumberger joined Heinitz and Lavoy in the 4x400m relay at state.

The Defense

The Cardinals set out to defend their 9B title behind a great defense as well. Lutt comes off a season with 42.5 tackles, four interceptions, two pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. Baumberger returns after 26 tackles, six interceptions, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns, earning him all state honors from his safety position. Liebl comes off of a productive season with 38 tackles and 3.5 sacks and will likely see the field even more at defensive end this season. Pica returns to anchor the defense from his nose tackle position. As a junior, he tallied 48 tackles and three sacks. Pica was also named to the all state team on the offensive line.

Underclassmen

Alongside the seniors is a huge group of underclassmen. These underclassmen include ten sophomores; Isaac Ahlers (TE/DE), Jacob Geraets (QB/LB), Pano Skliris (RB/LB), Isaac Griffin (WR/DB), Colter Griffin (WR/LB), Logan Robinson (TE/LB), Theo Miller (OL/LB), Liam Barr (OL/DL), and Dante Meyer (WR/LB), twelve freshmen; Cooper Libis (QB/DB), Eric Lindeman (OL/DL), James Heinemann (RB/DB), Jonah McNaughton (TE/DE), Eric Bares (RB/LB), Welles Hough (OL/DL), Keldon Barr (OL/DL), Gus Herber (WR/DB), Hudson Comstock (OL/DL), Eli Meyers (OL/DL), Zane Kuhl (WR/DB), and Bronc Geraets (WR/DB). The Cardinals set out to defend the 9B title with the largest roster in the class.

Interview With Coach Ross Flemmer

Coach Ross Flemmer is back at the helm of the St Mary’s for year 27. I was able to catch him for a couple questions about the upcoming season.

After a dominant season ending with a state title, how do you keep your guys hungry for more this season?

“I think that the most important thing about staying hungry is that you have to be willing to push yourself in the offseason and also to get better at practice every day. So far the team has bought into that and continued to improve.”

How helpful is it as a coach to have 12 seniors heading this team?

“It is a great help to have 12 seniors, the best teams are led by the upperclassmen, so to have 12 of them to help lead it is a huge help.”

What are you most excited for this season?

“I am excited to see what this group can achieve if they work hard and play together.”

St Mary’s has one of the biggest rosters in 9B, possibly even the biggest. How does it change the game knowing you have so many bodies on the sideline?

“With a large roster it offers more competition for positions as well as more competition in practice. It will offer us a chance to get better and see competition every day at practice.”

With so many players in the underclasses, how much growth have you seen, not just talent-wise, but in their mentalities as well?

“I feel that our underclassmen got to see some action last year, so they got a lot of experience. The young players have come a long way and I look forward to seeing how much they can grow throughout the season.”

There were three very talented seniors who departed from this team last season. How do you go about filling the gaps they leave behind?

“We lost a terrific senior class, filling those holes will be tough. Fortunately, we have a lot of kids who are competing to fill those spots.”

Is there anything else you’d like the fans to know about the identity of this 2026 St Mary’s Football Team?

“I feel if we can improve each day and stay healthy, we can have a successful season this year.”

Coach Flemmer enters this season with a career record of 182-75.

Season Outlook

The season will begin on August 21st in White, SD against the Deubrook Dolphins. St Mary’s will play five opponents they faced last season, Oldham-Ramona-Rutland (a 58-6 win), Avon (a 54-6 win), Colman-Egan (a 54-6 win), Irene-Wakonda (wins of 52-0 and 72-6), and Arlington (a 52-0 win). Also on their schedule will be Gayville-Volin and 9A Elkton-Lake Benton. We wish the Cardinals the best of luck in their 2026 football season.

For the dates and times, follow https://gobound.com/sd/sdhsaa/football/2026-27/dellrapidsstmary/v/schedule

All games will be broadcast by Big Sioux Media at https://www.youtube.com/@BigSiouxMedia/streams