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Lakeville North rides RaJa Nelson's versatility to 20-3 victory over Rosemount

By JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune, 09/13/19, 9:15PM CDT

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Nelson's 64-yard touchdown run and two scoring passes to Keaton Mohs provided the Panthers' scoring.


Lakeville North quarterback RaJa Nelson (7) is brought down by Rosemount defenders Sean Appold (23) and Riley Gruenes (8) in the first half Friday at Rosemount. Photo: DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com

The surprise, Lakeville North coach Brian Vossen said, isn’t all the remarkable things senior RaJa Nelson can do. It’s that anyone doubts it.

Nelson, moved to quarterback before the season, rushed for a touchdown, passed for two more and even intercepted a pass to lead Lakeville North to a 20-3 victory at Rosemount on a wet, sloppy night.

“He’s tremendous,” Vossen said. “I think, more than anything, I’m surprised there’s any doubt whatsoever about what RaJa can do. He’s a remarkable player and he’s been the best athlete on the field, every field, for the last few years.”

Senior Keaton Mohs was on the receiving end of Lakeville North’s only two pass completions in the game, but both were second-half touchdowns of 26 and 9 yards. He’s also a believer in everything Nelson does.

“RaJa’s a stud,” he said. “You could put him at defensive end and he’d be our best defensive end. Anywhere you put him, he’s going to succeed.”

First report

No. 1-ranked Lakeville North rode the versatility of Raja Nelson to a 20-3 victory over Rosemount.

The Panthers, defending champions in Class 6A, struggled to establish any offensive consistency early and even trailed 3-0 in the second quarter Friday at Rosemount.

Nelson put the Panthers on top with a 64-yard scoring run in which he appeared to be tackled at about the Rosemount 30. But officials ruled he never touched the ground and Nelson jogged into the end zone for a 7-3 lead.

Nelson used his arm to boost the Lakeville North lead in the second half, hitting Keaton Mohs for touchdowns of 26 and nine yards.

Lakeville North improved to 3-0. Rosemount fell to 1-2.

Check back later for more on the game.

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