Lakeville North believes, then achieves upset of Rosemount

High school football fans did not get to see high-powered Rosemount face stout Lakeville North in South Suburban Conference play.

The rivals made the wait worthwhile in the Class 6A quarterfinals Thursday at Kuhlman Stadium in Edina.

Lakeville North backup quarterback Kyle Rhodus threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Connor Flack to complete a 14-13 come-from-behind upset victory against the No. 2 seed Irish.

"We said in the locker room, 'Everybody in the state doubted us,' " linebacker Tristyn Hanson said. "But we kept believing the whole game."

Hanson, out of action since week three recovering from a broken ankle, returned to help anchor the Panthers' defense.

"Physically I wasn't 100 percent, but mentally I was completely there," Hanson said. "I didn't even feel my ankle when I was out there."

The key injury was suffered by Rosemount (10-1) senior quarterback Jackson Erdmann. He injured his left leg on the game's third offensive play but continued in a part-time role throughout the game.

Erdmann co-authored the first half's biggest play. Though unable to walk without limping, Erdmann fired a rocket into the end zone for Dimitri Williams. The 25-yard touchdown pass came on fourth down and gave Rosemount a 7-0 lead.

Backup Ethan Link directed a scoring drive of his own, completing a fourth-down pass to set up a 24-yard Alex Trana field goal. The Irish took a 10-0 lead into halftime.

A 15-play Rosemount drive lasting nine minutes, 49 seconds, ended with a 37-yard Trana field goal and a 13-0 third-quarter lead.

None of it fazed Lakeville North (10-1).

"I don't think it messed with us at all," Hanson said. "We kept believing the whole way through."

Hanson and the defense held tight against Rosemount's offense, forcing three punts and a turnover on downs to end the game.

"Our defense is the best in the state," Rhodus said. "To shut down a team like Rosemount, that takes a lot of resiliency and toughness."

The Irish, widely considered favorites to reach the Prep Bowl, were eliminated in stunning fashion.