After a season’s worth of routs, Rosemount had to play a close game sometime.

The Irish, riding a 10-game winning streak in which they had rarely been challenged, stood up to their first serious challenge since a season-opening overtime loss to Wayzata.

Rosemount’s defense proved pliable yet strong, giving up nearly 300 passing yards but holding firm when it had to, beating Roseville 35-28 to advance to the Class 6A championship game.

Rosemount took care of business on the ground, rushing for more than 270 yards. Dimitri Williams rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown. 

Quarterback Jackson Erdmann showed off some previously unseen rushing abilities, using his legs more than his arm in the second half to pick up key first downs.

Trailing 35-28 late in the fourth quarter, Roseville drove deep into Rosemount territory. 

But Raiders quarterback Jacques Perra, who passed for 294 yards and rushed for another 89 in the game, threw incomplete to his favorite receiver, Jesper Horsted, on fourth down and 4 from the Rosemount 19-yard-line.

Rosemount took over with 1:56 left and ran out the clock, securing a berth in the Prep Bowl in two weeks.

The first half started fast and rarely allowed time to take a breath.

Roseville gave the first body shot, a 12-yard pass from Perra to Andrew Colvard for a 7-0 lead fewer than three minutes into the game.

Rosemount responded quickly on a 25-yard touchdown reception by Tyler Hartigan fewer than two minutes later, tying the score at 7-7.

Touchdowns came quickly after that, with both teams scoring twice offensively. 

Rosemount led 27-21 at halftime on the strength of Williams’ 77-yard punt return touchdown with 3:17 left in the second quarter.

Halftime stats told the story: the teams combined for 433 yards of offense. 

Most of Rosemount’s 229 yards came on the ground, with the Irish racking up 158 yards on just 13 carries.

As expected, Roseville hitched its fortunes to Perra’s right arm. 

The reigning Metro Player of the Year passed for 174 yards and two touchdowns before halftime, but was sacked three times.