Football Friday: Lakeville North vs. Rosemount

(3-0, 2-0 South Suburban Conference) vs. Rosemount (3-0, 3-0 South Suburban Conference)

PLAYMAKERS

• Charlie Hayes (Lakeville North – wide receiver)

Charlie had nine catches for 136 yards in last week’s 28-14 win over Edina, including eight in the second half as the Panthers pulled away. One of those was an acrobatic, 30-yard touchdown. He has a team-leading 25 catches for 357 yards this year. Coach Brian Vossen said Charlie is one of the best receivers the school has had, saying Charlie has “a great eye for finding the open hole” and has a great relationship with quarterback Trey Heid.

• Alex Wood (Lakeville North - linebacker)

The junior had 12 tackles last week, including four solos. He is second on the team with 25 tackles. He also has an interception return for a touchdown. Vossen calls Alex the most vocal leader on the team. Last week, Wood was lined up on the line of scrimmage and given free rein to rush. Where will he be this week?

• Nate Leimone (Rosemount – quarterback)

Nate twice scored on 16-yard runs in the fourth quarter as the Irish rallied for a 13-6 win last week at Prior Lake. He ran for 73 yards on 14 carries in the victory, but was just 6-for-15 through the air for 63 yards.

• Andy Gustafson (Rosemount – running back)

Andy was a workhorse last week with 26 tough carries for 94 yards as Rosemount looked to work the clock at Prior Lake. Look for a similar strategy this week. Andy’s week three totals eclipsed his first two games combined when he had 22 carries for 88 yards.

PANTHERS WIN IF ...

We know Lakeville North can throw the ball well, but the offense needs to find some success running the ball against a stingy Irish defense that has allowed just 6.3 points per game. The Panthers had 1 yard rushing last week on 27 carries. Defensively, the Panthers must not allow Rosemount to get 3 and 4 yards per carry like Edina did last week. Not only would that force Rosemount into passing situations—not its strong suit—but would get the Panthers offense back on the field quicker.

IRISH WIN IF ...

Its defense keeps the Lakeville quarterback contained and Rosemount controls the clock by running the ball well to set up opportunities for quarterback Nate Leimone to take shots through the air. Rosemount had its first tough game last week and that’ll experience will help in this battle of top-10 teams. The Irish were an improved 7-for-14 on third down last week, while holding Prior Lake to 2-for-11. That needs to continue.

2-MINUTE DRILL

SITE: Rosemount High School

TIME: 7 p.m. Friday

WEATHER: Partly cloudy, 58 degrees.

LAST MEETING: Rosemount won 26-12 last year at Lakeville North.

LAKEVILLE NORTH SCHEDULE

Thur. Sept. 1 vs. Eastview                   Fri. Sept. 9     @ Apple Valley              W 45-19
Fri. Sept. 16   vs. Edina                       Fri. Sept. 23   @ Rosemount
Fri. Sept. 30   vs. Burnsville
Fri. Oct. 7       vs. Lakeville South
Fri. Oct. 14     @ Bloomington Kennedy
Wed. Oct. 19 @ Prior Lake

ROSEMOUNT SCHEDULE

Thur. Sept. 1 @ Bloomington Kennedy  W 28-6
Fri. Sept. 9     vs. Burnsville                       Fri. Sept. 16   @ Prior Lake                         W 13-6
Fri. Sept. 23   vs. Lakeville North
Fri. Sept. 30   @ Lakeville South
Fri. Oct. 7       vs. Apple Valley
Fri. Oct. 14     @ Eastview
Wed. Oct. 19 vs. Eagan