Champlin Park senior quarterback Chad Costello fought through a 34-28 upset victory in overtime against Rosemount with a tender right ankle, a sore left arm and a bump on his right eyebrow.

Run-ins with Irish defenders caused each malady. But Costello refused to yield. Moreover, he made the difference in the Class 6A football tournament quarterfinals Friday at Woodbury High School. He threw three touchdowns passes, ran for a score and inspired teammates.

“I just had to gut it out,” Costello said. “I didn’t want this to be my last one so I had to do whatever it takes to help the team and get a win.”

The thrilling victory sends the Rebels to the semifinals against Eden Prairie on Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

No. 3 seed Champlin Park, unranked in the final Associated Press football poll, stunned No. 1 seed Rosemount by moving through adversity that would stop many teams cold.

A broken collarbone sidelined starting quarterback Bennett Otto in the first round of the playoffs. Enter Costello, who honored his best friend by upsetting East Ridge at home last week.

Costello connected with Romello Adkins on a touchdown pass for a 28-21 lead with 5:46 left in regulation. But the game raged on.

Rosemount (9-2) quarterback Cody Hogan and Griffin Lanoue hooked up for an improbable 32-yard reception on fourth and 28. A few plays later, Lanoue stretched to finish a 16-yard catch and run with the tying score.

The game knotted 28-28, Champlin Park kicker Payton Eue just missed wide right on a 22-yard field goal try as time expired.

No matter. The Rebels’ defense swung the tide, circumventing Rosemount’s massive offensive line and stopping two consecutive runs from less than a yard out.

“If we don’t get it in from there, we don’t deserve to win the game,” Rosemount coach Jeff Erdmann said. “They’ve got guys and a field goal probably doesn’t do it.”

Costello, Champlin Park’s main guy, also played for keeps. On second down, he placed the ball where only DeAnte Bronson could do what he did – haul in a 7-yard pass for the game winning touchdown

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574

Champlin Park (8-3), unranked in the final Associated Press football rankings, stunned No. 1 seed Rosemount 34-28 in overtime in the Class 6A football state tournament quarterfinals Friday at Woodbury High School.

The Rebels had a chance to win the game in regulation but a 22-yard field goal attempt was no good. 

In overtime, Rosemount got the ball first but the Champlin Park defense stopped a fourth-and-one play. When the Rebels' offense took over, it scored a touchdown on the second play.

The Rebels advance to play Eden Prairie in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Key of the game: Options abound. Senior backup quarterback Chad Costello took part in four touchdowns on a tender ankle. The offense shrugged off the emotional toll of a missed field goal at the end of regulation. The defense stuffed Rosemount twice on run plays from one yard out in overtime and turned over the Irish on downs. And DeAnte Bronson caught the game-winning touchdown in the corner of the end zone. It’s like Jenga – take away one block too many and the tower falls. Let’s leave all these blocks in place.

Quote: “It’s hard to have pity for yourself when you see him out there with a bad ankle. It makes you think, ‘If Chad can do it, I can do it, too.’” -- DeAnte Bronson on Costello

One thing to know: Rosemount never quit, either. A Lumumba White sack of Irish quarterback Cody Hogan left Rosemount facing fourth and 28 with its season in the balance and trailing 28-21. Hogan fought back. He heaved a ball toward Griffin Lanoue, and one of the state’s top defensive backs and part-time receivers adjusted to make the catch. A few plays later Lanoue scored to tie the game.

DAVID LA VAQUE