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Centennial outlasts turnover-laden Forest Lake

By MN Football Hub staff, 10/25/11, 9:00PM CDT

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First quarter momentum boost allows Cougars to coast to Class 5A, Section 7 quarterfinal win

Despite being without its best defensive player due to a concussion, Centennial kept its playoff dreams alive Tuesday, Oct. 25, with a win over the Forest Lake in the Class 5A, Section 7 quarterfinals.

With only 120 yards passing in the game, the Cougars used their running game of more than 200 yards to subdue the Rangers in a 21-7 victory to advance to the semifinals of the section playoffs.

“I don’t think the conditions were great for passing," said Centennial coach Michael Diggins. "It was a cold night, a wet night. And, in the third quarter, we’ve got a 21-0 lead. We’re not going to throw too much more."

One of the key factors in the victory was the play of junior halfback Michael Diggins, son of the Cougars' coach. Diggins had 14 carries for 92 yards and two rushing touchdowns on the night.

“The coaches just told us to do our jobs and we would get it done tonight,” Diggins said.

After losing their Homecoming game to Anoka -- the top seed in the section playoffs and current No. 8 ranked team in the state -- the Cougars are looking forward to having another shot at the Tornadoes on Saturday, Oct. 29 in the section semifinals.

“When the playoffs come, you just throw the records out because everyone’s going to tone it up a notch,” said coach Diggins.

-- Jennifer Brook, MN Football Hub staff

Game Recap

Capitalizing on several Forest Lake turnovers, Centennial scored 21-straight points to defeat the Rangers 21-7 for a quarterfinal victory in the Class 5, Section 7 playoffs Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Centennial High School in Circle Pines.

After an 11-yard touchdown run by Cougars' junior running back Michael Diggins  in the first quarter, Centennial pounced on a Forest Lake fumble during the ensuing kickoff. Following the fumble recovery, Centennial senior quarterback Evan Ostergren connected with senior Ben LaMere for a 32-yard touchdown reception.

Both teams responded by relying heavily on their respective running games.

Forest Lake senior running back Tommy Tyson collected 112 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries as well as 31 receiving yards from three receptions.

Rangers senior quarterback Dan Johnson also added 79 rushing yards on 19 carries while going 11-19 passing for 110 yards.

For Centennial, Diggins finished with 92 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Also powering the Cougars' offense was LaMere, who caught three passes for 65 yards and a touchdown along with 10 carries for 111 yards.

Forest Lake finishes the 2011 season with a 2-7 record.

Centennial advances to play top-seeded Anoka on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. at Anoka High School in the Section 7 semifinals.

-- Michael Murakami, MN Football Hub staff

Statistics, Summary

1. Ben LaMere, Centennial
With his team still celebrating the game's first score, LaMere lit up the scoreboard again for the Cougars following a Forest Lake turnover by catching a 32-yard touchdown pass. While the touchdown was the only one of the night receiving or rushing for LaMere, it would prove to be the game-winning score. The senior finished the night with three receptions for 65 yards and added 111 yards rushing on 10 carries in his last home varsity football game.

2. Michael Diggins, Centennial
Getting a lot of work in and around the endzone for a running back usually leads to scoring touchdowns and Diggins did not disappoint. The junior rushed for two touchdowns -- one from 11-yards out and one from 2-yards out in the first and third quarters, respectively -- and had 92 yards on 14 carries.

3. Tommy Tyson, Forest Lake
Despite a few fumbles, Tyson earned the third star as the senior rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries during his final high school game for the Rangers. Keeping several drives alive, Tyson used quick bursts of speed to weave upfield and also was a factor in the Forest Lake receiving game.

-- Michael Murakami, MN Football Hub staff

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