Led by a defense that went from cautious to crazed, Lakeville North ended upstart Rosemount's state tournament surprise, crushing the Irish 28-7 in the Class 6A semifinals.
The Panthers qualified for the Prep Bowl for the first time since Lakeville split into two high schools in 2005 by playing offense with its defense, attacking constantly and forcing the Irish completely out of their game plan.
"There are times when I watch these guys and I think back to when I played football," said Lakeville North coach Brian Vossen, who played linebacker and was a 1998 graduate of Lakeville. "I don't think I could have played with these guys. They're too good."
The game didn't start the way it finished. For the first quarter, Rosemount looked very much like the team that upset No. 1-ranked Edina one week earlier.
The Irish took the opening kickoff and drove 68 yards in 12 plays, taking a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard run by Ali Al-Khatib. Quarterback Jackson Erdmann was 5-for-5 passing on the drive, hooking up with receiver Sean Kalinowski four times.
"That's OK," Vossen said. "They beat us with little hitches. We invite that. They took advantage."
After stopping Lakeville North on its ensuing drive at its own 3-yard line, things were looking rosy for Rosemount.
And then the luck ran out on the Irish.
