Rosemount 24, Apple Valley 7: Big difference from little package

Right around this time during most prep football seasons, a team will emerge as an under-the-radar threat to make some noise in the postseason. Rosemount is going one better this year, making a move with an under-the-radar quarterback.

That's right, he's small. All of 5-11, 165 pounds. But he runs the ball with a purpose, throws with accuracy and a nice touch and engineers the Irish's option offense with authority.

His name is Chase Vogler, which also serves to describe the fate of opposing defenses.

Despite a spirited effort by Apple Valley in its homecoming game on Friday, Rosemount improved to 6-0 in the Lake Conference with a 24-7 victory over the Eagles.

Vogler was the difference-maker for Rosemount, throwing a pair of touchdown passes, rushing for about 60 yards and giving the Irish the type of play a team needs to have hopes of going deep into the state tournament.

"In our offense we need a guy who is athletic and can run it and throw it," Rosemount coach Jeff Erdmann said. "It's a chance to really showcase yourself."

Despite looking like a seasoned veteran at the position, Vogler made his seventh career start at quarterback Friday. He started at wide receiver and free safety last season and enjoyed his work in the secondary so much he wasn't sure he wanted to give it up.

"But we had a football retreat and it was during that time that I decided I was ready to give up playing free safety," Vogler said.

Erdmann said he met with his captains in the spring and asked them what their biggest concern was heading into this season. They all said quarterback.

"I told them that wasn't even on my list," Erdmann said. "It was either going to be Chase or Garrett Glaus [another standout athlete]. I knew either way we would be fine."

The Irish scored on its first possession of the game. Joseph Broback took a pitch from Vogler and raced 31 yards down the left sideline for the touchdown.

Apple Valley tied the score early in the second quarter when quarterback Boomer Hermes connected with wide receiver Alex Walls on a 58-yard touchdown pass.

The Irish moved 95 yards in nine plays to take a 14-7 lead in the final seconds of the first half. Vogler completed three passes to Zachary Vraa to help move Rosemount to the Apple Valley 25.

Vogler then found Glaus on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds to play in the half.

Rosemount increased its lead to 21-7 late in the third quarter. A 32-yard pass from Vogler to Vraa gave the Irish first-and-goal at the 3. Andrew Malicki crashed through the middle of the line on the next play for the touchdown.

The Irish are 6-1, their loss coming against Hopkins. Rosemount closes the regular season against Eastview on Wednesday.

"I'm going to enjoy this win," Vogler said, "but come midnight I will start thinking about Eastview. That's our biggest rival, and if we can beat them we'll have at least a share of the conference title."

Dean Spiros • dspiros@startribune.com