EAGAN, Minn. — The only thing cooler than Talia Vescio's calm execution with 25 seconds remaining before halftime was the modest — almost shrugging — smile that appeared as she turned to the Rosemount sideline after her touchdown passes.
Vescio's seventh passing TD of the Minnesota Girls High School Flag Championship made it a 45-12 margin late in the second half and invoked a mercy rule, ending a valiant day by Rogers High School, which entered the 13-team tournament presented by the Minnesota Star Tribune as the No. 13 seed.
The Royals had recorded three upsets on their way to the final, topping St. Louis Park in the opening round, Cretin-Derham Hall in the quarterfinals and Park Cottage Grove (after multiple overtimes) in the semifinal round. After falling behind 14-0 early against Rosemount, Rogers was mindful of another comeback, cutting the deficit to 20-12 with 25 seconds remaining before halftime.
Vescio opened the quick possession with a gain of more than 20 on a pass to Abby Essler and didn't get rattled after taking a sack. She got some of the yardage back with a gain of about 9 to Taylor Krieg, leaving enough time to spike the football on third down to stop the clock with five seconds remaining. That left time for one more rep, and Vescio placed the ball where the defense wasn't — and in the hands of Delaney Macken down the right sideline for a 26-12 lead.
"It puts you in a great position for the halftime," Vescio said. "I just think getting the confidence to know, 'OK, we have a bigger lead now. We can just go.' After the halftime, we let our defense play amazing, and we just went. Knowing that we have that security, it really helps."