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Rosemount's defense shuts down Farmington for the victory

By Brian Jerzak, SportsEngine, 09/23/17, 10:30AM CDT

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The Irish defense outscored the Tigers offense 6-0 in the Metro South skirmish.


Rosemount's Evan Geiwitz goes up for his third interception Sept 23 against visiting Farmington. Rosemount beat the Tigers 24-0. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Rosemount football team capped a big week at home Saturday night with a 24-0 victory over Farmington. This Metro South subdistrict showdown was not just a football game. It was the 100-year celebration of Rosemount High School. Extra bleachers were brought in to handle the crowd for the homecoming football game, which doubled as a class reunion.

During a busy day on the school grounds, all Rosemount's varsity teams had home events. During the final game of the day, the football team didn't disappoint the overflow crowd, recording the shutout.

"We have been planning it for about a year and a half," Rosemount athletic director Michael Manning said.

Game day started with a pancake breakfast and a Rosemount history video that rolled all day. The school then hosted a 5K race later in the morning. While Farmington (1-3) and Rosemount (2-2) warmed up, classic cars made their way around the track as fans began to roll in.

Manning was expecting anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 people at the game.

"I don't think (the extra events) impacts those guys," Rosemount coach Jeff Erdmann said. "They don't care about that stuff. We didn't play well offensively and played great defensively, but I don't attribute any of that to homecoming week."

With all the extra events, the players were able to stay focused.

"It is the coaches," Rosemount corner Evan Geirwitz said. "They are always telling us to stay on track and focus on our opponent, stay in the film room and do what we do best."

The crowd was treated to a defensive battle through the first half. The only points before intermission were scored by Rosemount as defensive back Cole Kraemer scooped up an errant option pitch and scored from 44 yards out.

"We took their run away," Erdmann said. "I think their O-line got worn down. We were able to rotate guys in on the defensive line, and we were solid in coverage."

The defense stepped up again in the second quarter, forcing a fumble at the 1-yard line and recovering it for a touchback. 

"We always key on turnovers," Geirwitz said. "I think we got five. It was a slow start for the offense, but we tweaked a few things at halftime, and you can see what happened."

What happened was 17 points to blow open a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.

Geirwitz picked off three passes in the game. He has picked off five in the last two games.

"Especially because of my height," the 5-foot-8 junior said, "And my safety Keenan (Wenzel) is about the same height. We knew they were going to go over the top on us. We stayed back and made a play on the ball."

Erdmann agreed.

"Every corner that is under 6 feet should think that," Erdmann said. "They are going to go after them. We are going to go after them. (Corners) need to know that. They should have a chip on their shoulder about that."

Erdmann has liked what he has seen from his defensive back.

"Evan has great feet, and he gets himself in good position. He is a good kid and a hardworking kid."

The football team was one of the main attractions for the weeklong celebration. Rosemount football and The Irish Way -- a set of guidelines Erdmann instituted shortly after he took over 20 years ago – have had a profound effect on the community.

"Jeff has been here 20 years now, and he has changed the culture not only of the football team but our entire sports program," Manning said. "You add in the marching band into our football success, it really is something I think our community takes a lot of pride in."

Saturday, the community could again take pride in the football program as they moved their record to 2-2 at the halfway point of the season.


Rosemount Irish receiver Jonathan Mann runs away from Tiger defenders for a touchdown Saturday evening. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

First Report

In a battle between two defenses, Rosemount's came up with the game-changing plays to record a 24-0 home victory over Farmington in a Class 6A matchup.

The Irish defense outscored Tigers offense 6-0 thanks to defensive back Cole Kraemer, who scooped an errant option pitch and returned the fumble 44 yards for the only TD of the first half.

Farmington (1-3) threatened in the second quarter, but Rosemount (2-2) forced a fumble on the 1-yard line resulting in a touchback.

Irish defensive back Evan Geirwitz led the defense with three interceptions, but the Tigers continued to go deep against the junior.

The Rosemount defense didn't allow the Farmington offense to get any rhythm other than the drive to the 1-yard line.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Irish quarterback Max Carter and the offense finally made a big play. Carter threw a perfect pass to a wide-open Jonathan Mann for a 38-yard touchdown.

Rosemount added a 39-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter and a late touchdown to complete the scoring.

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Players battle the sun to find the ball high in a late afternoon sky. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

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