Football: Centennial downs Rosemount 24-0, heads for U.S. Bank | Local

Centennial takes a 10-1 record into its first appearance in U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 16, against the winner of Lakeville South vs. East Ridge, who’ll play Saturday.

Rosemount finished 6-5 against a strong schedule. Centennial blanked them twice. The other was 9-0 in the regular season finale. The Irish averaged 23 points in their other nine games,

The Cougars held Rosemount to 23 yards in 17 ground plays, two completions in seven pass attempts for 25 yards, and two first downs. They had two takeaways: an interception by Will Quick and a fumble recovery (name not available), both in the fourth quarter.

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense and Centennial had both going for them in this game. The Cougars controlled the ball 68 plays to Rosemount’s 27 and committed no turnovers and no penalties.

Maverick Harper carried 27 times for 105 yards on straight-ahead barges and scored his 19th touchdown. Ty Burgoon added 90 yards in 11 carries, including 18- and 27-yard gainers. Marcus Whiting gained 30 in 11 totes, Daylen Cumming 19 in six, and Brock Burggraff 19 in four. Cummings completed four of seven passes for 50 yards. 

The Cougars took control from the outset with a three-and-out on defense, then a 75-yard march capped by Whiting’s one-yard touchdown. The big play was Cummings’ throw to Josh Lee, who out jumped two defenders for a 38-yard gain. The Cougars forced another three-and-out and drove 58 yards, all on the ground, leading to Keaten Frase’s 33-yard field goal. It was 10-0 at the half.

Centennial started the second half with another long drive, 65 yards, all on the ground, to open a 17-0 lead. On fourth-and-two at the 11, Harper six yards, and Cummings dived across the goal line from the five on the next play. They closed the scoring with Harper’s three-yard TD in the fourth quarter, set up by Quick’s interception and Burgoon’s 27-yard advance. Frase was 3-for-3 on conversions.