High Five: Rosemount vs. Woodbury
The Rosemount and Woodbury football game Monday night was a defensive battle from the beginning. It became clear early on that the team that made the fewest mistakes would come away the winners. In the end, the Irish made one…
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Continue ReadingThe Rosemount and Woodbury football game Monday night was a defensive battle from the beginning. It became clear early on that the team that made the fewest mistakes would come away the winners. In the end, the Irish made one more play and made one less mistake to come away with a hard-fought 9-7 victory. Here are some of the individual performances that stood out.
Jake Ratzlaff Jake Ratzlaff 6'2" | LB Rosemount | 2021 State MN Rosemount DB
In a game dominated by defense, Ratzlaff was one of the defenders who stood out. He is an explosive tackler who drives through ballcarriers. The DI recruit played safety and was involved in multiple big plays on the defensive side of the ball. With Woodbury quarterback Donald West buying time with his legs, Ratzlaff saw an opportunity to come off his coverage responsibilities, close on West, track him down and record a sack. Late in the first half, his open-field tackle prevented a big gain and kept the Royals off the scoreboard. In the second half, the senior came up strong in run support to make a stop for a short gain. He recorded his second sack of the game on the same drive and later got his hands on a pass to knock it harmlessly to the ground.
Christian Graske Christian Graske 5'11" | RB Rosemount | 2021 State MN Rosemount RB
Graske led all players in yards. He rushed for 120 yards and caught two balls for an additional 22 yards. A spin-move at the line of scrimmage freed him up for a nine-yard gain. One of his two receptions was a diving grab for 15 yards. He helped set up the game’s first score with a ten-yard gain on fourth and short near mid-field. He would carry the ball three more times on the drive – including hitting the circle button again and spinning his way to a thirty-yard gain. The senior scored the Irish’s lone touchdown and later put the game away, powering his way to a late first down. On the defensive side of the ball, his tight coverage forced a punt.
Donald West Woodbury QB
Although West didn’t throw the ball often, he was very accurate when he did let it loose. He completed 14 of 19 passes for just over 100 yards. He threw a nice ball to Mac Lockner Mac Lockner WR Woodbury | 2021 State MN on a crossing route to set up a first and goal. He completed another crossing route to Josh Simon that nearly led to the first score of the game. The Royals cut into Rosemount’s lead in large part because of West. He converted a fourth and short with a quarterback sneak. Facing a 4th and 8, West dropped back to pass and faced immediate pressure. He moved out of the pocket and somehow got enough on the ball to complete a twelve-yard pass for a first down. Facing another 4th and long, West connected on a fade route for the Royals only touchdown.
Vicar Pyne Vicar Pyne 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Rosemount | 2022 State MN Rosemount DB
Along with Ratzlaff, Pyne had a nice night in coverage for the Irish. The secondary held the Royals’ passing game to mainly underneath throws. One of Pyne’s biggest plays turned the momentum of the game. After Woodbury stopped the Irish on a fourth and short, Pyne immediately got the ball back to his offense with an interception on a deep throw near the boundary. With the Royals attempting to mount a late drive that would have given Woodbury the lead and likely the win, Pyne forced a 4th and long by knocking away a pass that would have given the Royals a first down.
Erik Budin Rosemount DL
The front three for Rosemount was instrumental in keeping the offensive line of the Irish linebackers. They completely shut down the Royals’ running game – allowing less than two yards a carry. Budin did more than take up blockers. He ripped into the backfield early in the game and dropped a Royals’ runner for a big loss. Then, he forced his way into the backfield on a third and short to stop the offense short of the sticks. After the running back was forced to cutback, Budin was there to drop the ball carrier for a short loss. With the Royals driving for the potential game-winning score, Budin combined with Miles Townsend Miles Townsend 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Rosemount | 2022 State MN for a drive ending sack.