Centennial football defeats Lakeville South in the Minnesota high school football Class 6A semifinal
MINNEAPOLIS — The Centennial Cougars (10-1) defeated the Lakeville South Cougars (10-1) 20-13 in the Minnesota high school football Class 6A semifinals on Thursday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Lakeville South held Centennial’s run game early. The defense limited runs up the middle, but the Cougars found success later in the game as they wore down Lakeville South's defense.
Lakeville South’s Connor Cade scored on a 45-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He went untouched to the end zone as Lakeville South finished with a 7-6 lead at halftime and averaging 3.6 and 4.9 yards per carry in the first and second quarter, respectively.
Meanwhile, Centennial’s rushing attack didn’t perk up until the second quarter, and Centennial converted on only 1-of-4 trips to the red zone in the first half.
“I think the lights were a little bright for our offense to start, but we kind of relaxed a little bit and played really well in the second half,” Centennial head coach Mike Diggins said. “We basically reminded them that the field is no bigger than Centennial’s field.”
Centennial controlled the third quarter and took a 12-7 lead with a 2-yard touchdown run from Cummings.
“I think we had to widen [Lakeville South's defense] a little bit,” Diggins said. “I think our offensive coordinator, Travis Littlefield, did a good job of widening them in the second quarter. … Our big boys up front, they just started to wear them down a little bit and our running backs were running harder.”
And while Centennial’s defense started to limit Lakeville South’s rushing attack, Lakeville South struck with another long touchdown run to take the lead early in the third quarter. Running back Jonah Shine took a 35-yard gain to the end zone for a 13-12 lead.
One drive later, Centennial’s pass game earned its stripe with a 71-yard touchdown pass from Cummings to Josh Lee for what became the game-winning touchdown with eight minutes remaining.
“That’s what we’ve been about all year is just not quitting,” Diggins said. “To their credit, they practice like that. They play like that. They don’t quit. There wasn’t too much panic on our sideline even after we missed some opportunities.”
Centennial’s defense held Lakeville South and forced them to punt, and Centennial’s offense made sure Lakeville South did not get the ball back.
“They understand physical football and downhill running and taking four yards at a time, and that’s how you win in this state,” Lakeville South coach Ben Burk said.
Cummings finished with 61 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and he threw for 163 yards and one touchdown.
Centennial will play the winner of Eden Prairie vs. Edina in the Class 6A Prep Bowl on November 24 at 7 p.m.
