A turnaround season for Rosemount football will continue to the quarterfinals of the Class 6A state tournament.

Defense and a talented rushing attack have been the strength for the Irish (10-0) this season, and that was the case again Friday. Will Priest led the Rosemount running attack with four touchdowns in a 42-14 victory over Wayzata at Rosemount.

The final score indicated a one-sided game, but the teams headed to halftime tied 14-14. The Irish defense, which has allowed fewer than eight points per game, shut down the Trojans the rest of the way.

"We all trust each other, and that's what I love about our defense," said linebacker Justin Cave, who recovered a fumble in the third quarter. "Trust the guy next to you to do their job, and you do your job."

Priest alone gained 242 yards on the ground, most of which were gained on four touchdown runs, each of 40 or more yards. Quarterback Landon Danner added the team's other two rushing touchdowns.

Friday's win was another step for a team that has now doubled its win total from last year. In 2021 the Irish finished 5-5 and lost in the second round of the Class 6A tournament.

"No one thought we could do this," said Priest, a senior running back. "It was a really awesome thing just to come out here and show them what's what, and be like, 'Rosemount is still a good program.' "

Wayzata (5-5) was left wondering what could have been after looking at the tie at halftime. The Trojans made plays when they needed to in last week's road playoff win at St. Michael-Albertville, but that was not the case Friday against one of Class 6A's top teams. Rosemount is ranked second in the Metro Top 10 and second in Class 6A.

"We've come in and felt like when we play clean football and do the things we need to do that we can play with anybody," Wayzata coach Lambert Brown said.