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| Jordan DeCroock 7 catches (file photo by J. Lindquist) |
Forty-four years later the Tigers assumed the role of the nail in a 49-0 blowout loss to the Irish in the Section 3AAAAAA quarterfinals played Friday night at Rosemount Stadium.
The contest couldn't have started any worse for the visitors who saw the state's third-rated team use a short field and a blocked punt turn into two touchdowns in the game's first six-and-a-half minutes.
The South Suburban Conference champions went on to score on their next four possessions of the opening half to build a lopsided 42-0 lead at intermission.
"They (Rosemount) are a very good football team," Tiger coach Mark Froehling said. "They have a lot of good athletes on both sides of the ball and they are deep. They are a lot like the Chaska team that won our conference."
Chaska downed the Tigers by an identical margin when the teams met in Chaska midway through the regular season.
Rosemount had four touchdown on the board before the visitors gained their second first down. The Tigers gained a net of just 12 in the first two quarters. It was that kind of night.
But the winners didn't win many friends among the fans in the east bleachers during the opening half. The Irish attempted a needless onside kick after their fourth score and twice called timeouts late in the half to try to tack on even more points long after the game's outcome had been decided.
"They have a lot more football to play and were probably approaching the situation like they were ahead by seven points," Tiger coach Mark Froehing said.
Rosemount called off the hounds after the break, using reserves in a second half where the Farmington offense picked up a few more yards but no points.
The only score after intermission came on a stunning 96-yard run from scrimmage by Rosemount's Lowell Green.
The Tigers finished with just 89 yards of offense for the night, 49 passing and 40 running. Rosemount amassed 264 rushing and 160 passing for a game total of 424 yards.
Tiger quarterback Tyler VanWinkle closed the books on his senior season with 12 completions in 21 tries for 89 yards with an interception. Jordan DeCroock caught seven of the passes for 43 yards.
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| Eli Rockett team-high 5.5 tackles file (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
Despite the disappointing post-season outcome, Froehling said he was pleased with his team's effort.
"I am proud of my boys," he said. "They stayed together. They played hard to the end under some difficult conditions. We are a family and that's what families do. These boys have been a wonderful group to coach all season."
Farmington finished the season one game below .500 with a 4-5 record. Rosemount (8-1) advances to the section semifinals against district rival Eastview next Friday night.
