JM, Century set to renew football rivalry with first-round playoff game

Oct. 23—ROCHESTER — If the first meeting suggests anything, then the scoreboard operator for this playoff engagement between the John Marshall and Century football teams better have his fingers loose and ready.

The teams combined for 73 points on Oct. 6 at Century, a game won 40-33 by JM.

Above all, it is the way Century has the potential to score in doves all while struggling to play defense, that suggests a bunch more points are on the way.

The Panthers average 21 points per game and give up 40. John Marshall is more balanced than that, at 22 ppg. scored and 26 given up.

The Rockets are also a bit more winning. JM enters its home Section 1, Class 5A quarterfinal playoff game Tuesday (7 p.m.) with a 3-5 record. Century is 1-7 and winless since Sept. 8 when it beat Irondale 35-14.

But this, after all, is a city rivalry game, where predictions so often don't match what actually happens.

But there is one certainty. It's that both sides are hungry for a win.

"We live a game at a time," said second-year John Marshall coach Kyle Riggott, whose team has gone from winless last season to hosting a playoff game this one. "We've talked about chasing opportunities. We earned a home playoff game and that matters. Now we have to be confident we belong. And if we do our job, then we're going to earn another game."

JM has spent this season demonstrating what a difference one year can make. The Rockets were overwhelmed all of last season, when a breathtakingly young and inexperienced collection was outscored by an average of 42-4.

Things have abundantly changed this go around. JM's lines — offensively and defensively — have rarely crumbled. And its skill players led by running back Ty'Shawn Beane and receivers Zach and Eli Ladu are among the best in their Class 5A section.

JM is doing everything better, especially the basics of tackling and blocking. And now it has something to show for it — three wins, competitiveness in every game and an outside chance of an extended playoff run.

"Now we hope to continue to match what we've been all year, with an intent to rise," Riggott said.

Century has been a team that's struggled in a number of areas, particularly tackling.

Beane roared for 179 yards rushing on 22 carries in the teams' last meeting, with touchdown runs of 24, 4 and 46 yards.

His availability for this first playoff game is in question after he injured a knee on Wednesday against Bloomington Jefferson. Another guy who might be out of the JM starting lineup is quarterback Savy Vath, who didn't play against Jefferson after injuring his ankle the week before.

Century counters with a quarterback who has been incredibly productive. Harry Esau, who's thrown for 1,641 yards and 19 touchdowns, was 19-for-42 for 333 yards and five TDs against JM.

He has left quite an impression on longtime Century coach Jon Vik.

"The biggest thing about Harry is that he is a tough kid," Vik said. "There were some games last year when he took some big hits on a regular basis and he still delivered the ball. My hat is off to Harry and his toughness. Plus, he's got a good arm and good skills."

Besides Esau's ability to deliver the ball, Century has a three excellent receivers in Jake Wills (25 catches, 508 yards, 7 touchdowns), Denard Simpson (19 catches, 436 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Eli Thompson (22 catches, 344 yards, 7 touchdowns). They hope to get loose again against JM, which has at times struggled against passing offenses.

Century enters the game still with heavy hearts after the death of teammate Davin Tukua. The junior was killed in a car accident on Oct. 7.

When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24; at Rochester Regional Stadium.

What: Section 1, Class 3A quarterfinals.

Seeds, records: No. 7 Zumbrota-Mazeppa is 2-6 overall, 2-4 vs. Section 1-3A opponents; No. 2 Lourdes is 6-2, 6-1.

About Zumbrota-Mazeppa: The Cougars are carrying some momentum with them this week, coming off a 22-21 overtime victory against Pine Island last Wednesday to close the regular season. ... Lourdes will need to watch out for Z-M backs Hadyn Boraas and Colby Dohrn. Boraas scored all three of the Cougars' touchdowns last week, while Dohrn scored the winning two-point conversion. ... Boraas scored Z-M's lone TD in its regular season meeting with Lourdes. ... The Cougars average 9.8 points per game and allow 36.8 per game. ... Z-M is seeking its first playoff victory in six years; it beat rival Pine Island 15-9 in a Section 1-3A quarterfinal on Oct. 24, 2017.

About Lourdes: The Eagles beat Z-M 42-8 in their regular season matchup on Oct. 13. Sophomore fullback Ed Lovely ran for three touchdowns and returned an interception for a TD in that game — and kicked six PATs — and senior quarterback Adam Sellner ran for two. ... Lourdes and Z-M last met in the playoffs in 2019, when Lourdes won 41-8 in a Section 1-3A quarterfinal. ... The Eagles average 22.5 points per game and allow 14.1. ... They have passed for 542 yards and rushed for 1,460 this season. ... Sellner is the team's leading rusher, with 549 yards and eight touchdowns, and a 5.1 yards-per-carry average.

Up Next: The winner of this game faces the winner of Tuesday's Section 1-3A quarterfinal between No. 3 seed Plainview-Elgin-Millville and No. 6 La Crescent-Hokah.

— Jason Feldman