Stingy football defense at Lakeville North can score, too

Lakeville North coach Brian Vossen knew his squad would be as good as its defensive unit. It's one of the best in the state.

The Panthers (10-1), making their fourth consecutive state tournament appearance, upset South Suburban Conference rival Rosemount and its high powered offense 14-13 in the Class 6A quarterfinals.

They will face Totino-Grace (10-1) in the semifinals Thursday at Osseo High School at 7 p.m.

Lakeville North is only yielding seven points per game. The most points it has allowed in any game is 13.

"We are big, fast, and relentless getting to the football," Vossen said. "We have allowed less than five points per game when the game is still on the line."

Lakeville North and Rosemount, in a conference oddity, did not meet during the regular season. The Panthers' only setback was to Prior Lake 10-7.

For Rosemount, the loss to the Panthers was its first of the season. The Irish averaged 40.8 points per game this season.

Three-year starter senior linebacker Jesse Cardenas leads the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks.

Jordan Cardenas, Jesse's twin and another co-captain, bounces between the secondary and linebacker. Other defensive starters include senior linebackers Tristyn Hanson and Dakota Toedter, senior safety Stu Hamann, senior Tyler Bonjean and junior Jacob Traefald, both cornerbacks, and senior linemen Bradyn Daniels, Boyd Draeger and Carl Engwall. Senior Grant Gunderson and junior Jackson Dunnell have also started on defense.

Two-year starter senior linebacker Connor Melz suffered a knee injury two weeks ago and will miss the rest of the season.

There is no shortage of outstanding girls' athletes at Eagan.

The volleyball squad recently finished as the Class 3A state tournament runner-up. Earlier, the Wildcats won their first Class 2A girls' soccer state championship. They finished 21-0-1.

• Senior Callie Schapekahm and sophomores Alyssa Doucette and Brie Orr of Eagan were named to the Class 3A all-tournament team at the volleyball state tournament.

• Junior Dakotah Poitra and sophomore Mariena Hayden of Belle Plaine were named to the Class 2A all-tournament squad.