Page 18 Football Preivew • Friday , August 30 , 2024 sunthisweek . com
Rosemount As usual , Irish ’ s sights set on playing in November Several players capable of ‘ monster ’ seasons , coach says
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy
Rosemount players practice at the high school on Aug . 19 , the first day they could train in full pads . The Irish play at Eastview in their season opener Thursday , Aug . 29 . by Mike Shaughnessy SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Last season , Rosemount reached the state football quarterfinals for the 10th time since 2006 . But here ’ s a tip : Don ’ t ask the players what they ’ re going to do for an encore .
With all due respect to the state playoffs , the Irish aren ’ t interested in an encore of the 2023 season . “ We do have higher expectations than that ,” said senior running back Henry Wielinkski , a team captain .
And those expectations are ? “ The state championship . Nothing less ,” Wielinski said .
Although Rosemount ’ s only state football title was 43 years ago , Irish teams reached the Prep Bowl in 2010 , 2013 and 2022 under current head coach Jeff Erdmann . So they certainly know how to put themselves in a position to win . They have returning starters sprinkled throughout the lineup , and capable athletes are competing for the spots that require new starters .
“ Our summer and off-season were really , really good ,” Erdmann said . “ We were pleased with the first week of ( fall ) practice . We feel really good about our squad right now .”
Rosemount was 6-5 in 2023 in the season following a Prep Bowl appearance . Two of the losses were to eventual Class 6A champion Centennial , and the Irish did knock off a Lakeville South team that went on to reach the state semifinals .
However , the coaches and players believed something was missing – the element of physical play needed to excel in the playoffs , and which was present in previous Rosemount teams that went deep in the postseason . They ’ ve been working on bringing that back .
“ Since the first day of hitting , physicality has really been pushed ,” Wielinski said . “ I don ’ t know if it ’ s something that can be taught . It ’ s just something you need to have , and I think most of the guys here have it .”
“ There are a couple of things you can do ,” Erdmann said . “ The first is developing bigger , faster and stronger athletes . The second is doing your schemes so guys can play fast , where they understand what they ’ re doing .
We did a little more stuff in the summer to get guys to where they can play faster earlier in the season .”
Senior quarterback Gavin Caswell will have control of the Rosemount offense . He ’ s the returning starter , although he missed almost half of last season after breaking his non-throwing arm and wrist in the season opener . He was named all-district despite missing that much time .
Returnees offering protection up front include junior Brady Struble , an honorable mention all-district player last season ; senior Talon Holmen , who has committed to Minnesota State Mankato ; senior Brody Webster and junior Adam Hanson .
Wielinski and junior
Schedule
( Games 7 p . m . Fridays unless noted ) Aug . 29 ( Thurs .): at Eastview Sept . 6 : at Lakeville North Sept . 13 : Eagan Sept . 19 ( Thurs .): at Rochester Mayo Sept . 27 : Farmington Oct . 4 : Lakeville South Oct . 11 : at Shakopee Oct . 17 ( Thurs .): Centennial
Ja ’ khi Hollie will have opportunities to run with the ball . The Irish struggled at times to run the ball last year , particularly against Centennial , which shut them out twice last season ( the second time was in the Class 6A quarterfinals ).
Wielinski said he expects the rushing game to be improved , and added it won ’ t be the only thing for opposing defenses to worry about .
“ It looks like we ’ ll have some potentially explosive receivers ,” he said . “ We ’ re going to put some points on the board because we have experienced players and can run and pass .”
Senior Finn Biegel , an all-district player last year , returns to the Rosemount secondary . Junior linebacker Max Jones was honorable-mention all-district in 2023 . Some of the offensive linemen could turn up on the defensive line , as could returnees Philip Nti , Fernando Pena Sanchez and David Pasko , all seniors . Nti qualified for the state Olympic
See Irish , 20A
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy
Rosemount defensive back Kavari Flowers takes off with an intercepted pass during the Irish ’ s Aug . 12 practice .