Big plays early and late propel Lakeville North to win over Rosemount
Lakeville North's Brian Vossen: Successful football coach. Veteran math teacher. Arborist?
"We talked about a certain bamboo tree [a Chinese bamboo] that takes five years before it shows any growth," Vossen said. "But then in 30 days, it grows 30 feet."
Panthers players eager to end three consecutive losing seasons got the message.
"At the start of summer practices, we said, 'We need to be 30 feet tall by the time we have our scrimmages,' " Vossen said. "We weren't preparing for any specific team — we were trying to become Lakeville North. And we are."
A 14-11 victory Friday at Rosemount backed Vossen's claim. The upset marked the first time in two years that Lakeville North (2-0) recorded its second victory before October.
Junior outside linebacker Reece Hunt used his hands to swat away a blocker and come free on the pass rush late in the fourth quarter. Hunt lowered the boom on Rosemount quarterback Tyler Japel, getting the sack and forcing a fumble that teammate AJ Pacyga recovered to preserve the victory.
The big play redeemed Hunt for a whiff in the first quarter.
"I missed a sack earlier," Hunt said. "I was ticked all game long because of that."
The Panthers entered Friday's game ranked ninth in the Star Tribune's Metro Top 10. Rosemount (1-1) was ranked third.
North junior Ayden Forsgren returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. The Panthers doubled their lead with a touchdown later in the first quarter on Riley Grossman's 28-yard touchdown pass to fellow junior Lane Johnson.
Rosemount blanked Eastview last week, but the 35-0 result wasn't perfect. Starting quarterback Gavin Caswell, a junior, broke his wrist on his left (nonthrowing) hand and will miss several weeks. Japel took the snaps Friday.
Japel hit Riddik Collier for a 22-yard score midway through the fourth quarter. The Irish added the two-point conversion and cut their deficit to 14-11.
The close loss rankled Rosemount coach Jeff Erdmann. While North reclaimed its identity, the Irish are in search of one.
"We have to find out who wants to play football," Erdmann said. "Our defense really stepped up, but we have to have that on both sides of the ball."
