It was almost the perfect game for Jake Ratzlaff. The 6-foot-2 wideout and defensive back was all over the field Friday night, helping Rosemount capture a 27-13 win over Champlin Park in a Class 6A matchup at Champlin Park High School.
“He’s a special player,” said Rosemount coach Jeff Erdmann. “We think he’s the best player in the state. There’s a reason he’s going to be playing [in the] Big Ten, if he chooses football.”
Indeed, a special night for a special player.
Ratzlaff got things going on the offensive side of the ball Friday, hauling in a 46-yard touchdown pass that had been thrown by quarterback Riley Gruenes.
“It was a perfect dump over the middle,” Gruenes said.
After the ensuing kickoff, and just one play later, Ratzlaff scooped up a fumble near midfield and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Within a minute of play, the 215-pounder had two TDs.
“I’m going to credit my teammates,” Ratzlaff said. “That forced fumble was from one of our guys. I was just fortunate enough to be there.”
Rosemount continued its hot start with a win over Champlin Park on Friday night. The Irish, ranked No. 8 in the Class 6A Associated Press statewide poll, got off to a fast start, propelling to a 27-13 triumph over the Rebels in a matchup at Champlin Park High School.
Irish quarterback Riley Gruenes found wideout Jake Ratzlaff with his first pass of the game, connecting on a 46-yard touchdown strike to give Rosemount the lead late the first quarter. Just two plays later, while playing defense, Ratzlaff scooped up a fumble and returned it 40 yards to the end zone to make it 14-0.
The Irish (3-0, 1-0) built their largest lead when Ratzlaff blocked a punt, giving them perfect field position before Christian Graske recorded a 10-yard rushing TD to give Rosemount a 27-0 lead.
Champlin Park (2-2, 2-0) recorded a pair of touchdowns in the second half, both via passes from Cade Fitzgerald. Myer Schmitz caught a 20-yard pass, while J.J. Robinson hauled in a 22-yard catch and run.
The Irish have won three games in eight days to start the season after their first two games of the season were canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
MN Football Hub polls are for entertainment purposes only.