Rosemount goes to the air to crush Lakeville North

Rosemount football coach Jeff Erdmann told his players all season that the South Suburban Conference champion would be the physically and mentally toughest team.

"Last year it was Lakeville North and that's who we've tried to emulate," Erdmann said.

Following the Panthers' black-and-blueprint served Rosemount well. The Irish routed Lakeville North 36-7 on Wednesday night to wrap the conference title and likely secure the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Class 6A, Section 3 playoffs.

Jackson Erdmann threw three touchdown passes to shred a penalty-plagued Panthers defense. The unit allowed 27 points to Rosemount after giving up 37 points in the first seven games combined.

"We said going in, 'If they were going to beat us, they were going to have to do it through the air,' " Lakeville North coach Brian Vossen said. "And they did. You can't let them have three huge touchdown passes."

All three of Rosemount's first-half touchdown drives were prolonged by North penalties. Whether roughing the Irish punter or jumping offside three times, the Panthers put themselves in a bind.

Jeff Erdmann noticed the Panthers' aggressiveness on film and instructed his quarterback and son, Jackson, to use a hard count. Erdmann continually drew the Panthers offside, then drew blood.

On the next Rosemount drive, Lakeville North's defense again jumped offside to give the Irish a first down. Sensing an opportunity, Rosemount swung for the fences and connected. Erdmann hit Tyler Hartigan in stride for a 65-yard touchdown and a 25-0 lead with less than one minute remaining in the first half.

"Tyler ran a great route and he's got great hands," Jackson Erdmann said. "It was such a thrill."

The bad news kept coming for Lakeville North's defense. Standout defensive end Greg Menard left the game in the first quarter with what Vossen called an ankle sprain. Menard was on crutches and Vossen is hoping for a "miracle."

"A lot of the wind got sucked out [of us] because he's a major part of the offense and defense," Vossen said.

Meanwhile, Rosemount's premier defensive playmaker struck again. Conner Yepsen's 43-yard interception return, his third pick-six in four games, put Rosemount ahead 13-0 in the second quarter.

Lakeville North's lone score came on a 57-yard touchdown run from Jamiah Newell. But the Irish hit back with a field goal and a 32-yard touchdown pass from Erdmann to Ashby-Phan.

"They are really good," Vossen said. "They deserve to be conference champs."