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Overtime field goal lifts Rosemount to 24-21 victory over Lakeville North

By David La Vaque, Star Tribune, 10/19/16, 10:00PM CDT

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After the Irish held the Panthers scoreless in the third overtime, senior Kenny Watkins kicked a 25-yarder to win the game.


Rosemount senior Kenny Walkins (18) kicked the winning field goal in the third overtime to lift the Irish to a 24-21 victory. Photo: RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER * renee.jones@startribune.com

Facing second down in the third overtime, Rosemount stopped trying to grind out yards and put the game on kicker Kenny Watkins.

Watkins booted the ball home from 25 yards to clinch a 24-21 victory Wednesday at Lakeville North. The Irish (7-1) earned a share of the East Metro White subdistrict title and might have overtaken the Panthers (7-1) for one of the four No. 1 seeds in the Class 6A playoff bracket. Section 3 coaches meet Thursday morning to vote on seeding.

For a senior who had never had a chance to kick a game winner, Watkins made his first count for a great deal.

“I was feeling good tonight, feeling confident,” Watkins said. “I was ready.”

Lakeville North kicker Dylan Smith saw his 19-yard field goal attempt sail wide right at the end of regulation. Panthers coach Brian Vossen spread the blame, however. He said the team’s “three legitimate chances” to close out the game fell short each time — a hard but valuable lesson.

“Anyone who saw the game knows we had it and we blew it,” Vossen said. “I imagine we’ll be a No. 2 seed now, but if you’re going to lose — lose now, not later.”

Tied 7-7 entering overtime, the teams turned to their playmakers. Wade Sullivan put the Panthers ahead 14-7 on his 26th rushing touchdown of the season. The Irish drew even with Griffin Lanoue’s 12-yard touchdown catch on fourth down.

“We ran a wheel post, and I had complete trust in the call and in Cody [Hogan] to make the throw,” Lanoue said.

With the game tied 21-21 after two extra sessions, Lakeville took the ball and proceeded to go backward. Rosemount outside linebacker Dan Johnson helped tackle Panther ball carriers for losses on second and third down. A fourth-down end zone heave fell incomplete.

Two plays later, Watkins ended the game and the regular season for Rosemount on a high note.

Johnson and the Irish defense saw Sullivan carry more than 40 times Wednesday but allowed about 130 yards.

“He’s got to be either No. 1 or No. 2 in terms of the best player we’ve faced,” Johnson said. “We had to contain him and not let him get to the edge.”

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574

First report

Each team scored a touchdown in regulation and each of the first two overtimes. The Irish held the Panthers without a score in the third extra session before senior Kenny Watkins kicked a 25-yard field goal to win it.

Check back later for more on the game.

Inside the game

Key of the game: In the third overtime, Rosemount’s defense clamped down, tackling Lakeville North ball carriers for losses on consecutive plays to force a fourth-and-goal from the 25-yard line. To that point, both offenses had scored on each overtime possession from the opponent’s 10-yard line.

Quote: “There’s not really a better feeling in football than coming in and beating North.” — Rosemount senior Griffin Lanoue

One thing to know: Lakeville North might have won with a touchdown late in regulation, but linebacker Mac Roberts stuffed Wade Sullivan at the goal line and left the Panthers reeling. With no timeouts left, they scrambled to get set and spike the ball to stop the clock. Quite a reversal for Lakeville North, which two plays earlier completed a 24-yard pass to the 1-yard line.

DAVID LA VAQUE

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