Centennial Breaks Through with Class 6A Victory Over Rosemount

Centennial quarterback Daylen Cummings knows all too well the feeling of falling just short of U.S. Bank Stadium.

Exactly one year ago, Cummings and the Cougars were eliminated by Rosemount in a heartbreaking 17-10 quarterfinal loss. But on Friday night, he and his teammates made sure history wouldn't repeat itself, dominating the Irish in a 24-0 shutout to punch their ticket to the Class 6A semifinals.

“We were in those same shoes last year, and we know how that feels – it sucks,” Cummings said. “It's a lot better being on this side of the field, moving on to [U.S. Bank].”

The Cougars were in this very same position four of the past five years, and Centennial head coach Mike Diggins said this win was a long time coming.

 Among Diggins' 32 years as head coach, it's the first time his team has advanced to the semifinals.

“Last year, I told our kids, ‘Enough of just getting here. We’ve got to win this game and go as far as we can,’” Diggins said.

Clinging to a 10-0 lead at halftime, Diggins and offensive coordinator Travis Littlefield drew up a methodical 15-play, 80-yard drive that ate up nine minutes of the third quarter. It ended with a 5-yard quarterback keeper from Cummings, extending the lead to 17-0 with fewer than five minutes remaining in the third.

For Diggins, the drive was over three decades in the making.

“We were getting too cute in the first half,” Diggins said. “[Littlefield] told the guys, ‘We’re getting too cute; just go out there and run the ball.’”

Rosemount had no answer for the Cougars' defense, running just eight plays in the entire second half. The Irish fumbled twice and turned the ball over on downs in the final minutes.

Cummings credited the entire defense for the dominant performance.

“Our defense is just great,” he said. “Especially our scout guys. They work their butts off in practice giving our offense the best looks they possibly can.”

Next up for Centennial is a semifinal clash with Lakeville South next Saturday, with a coveted spot in the Prep Bowl on the line.

“It’s time to go as far as we can here; that’s been the goal all year,” Diggins said. “I give credit to the kids, there’s been no screwing around. They just come out here and play.”

Original link to article:https://www.si.com/high-school/minnesota/2023/11/10/centennial-football-defeats-rosemount-in-class-6a-quarterfinal