2A - Chatfield holds on to win crown

Senior Grady Schott hoists the state championship trophy with fellow senior teammates (from left) Dylan Cocker, Campbell Berge, Ethan Ruskell, Mason Clemens and Caden Nolte.

Chatfield overcomes adversity to win 2A title

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

The Chatfield Gophers were no strangers to relying on decisions out of their control that would determine the success of their season.

Prior to their kickoff against West Central Area/Ashby in the Class AA Prep Bowl, they were awaiting a judge’s decision on whether or not suspended quarterback Sam Backer would be allowed to play. Backer, an instrumental player in Chatfield’s season-long success, received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the team’s semifinal win. Minnesota State High School rules indicate that because he received an ejection, he had to sit out the next game as well.

The judge denied the family’s request and Backer was forced to watch from the sidelines.

Then, in the fourth quarter, hanging on to a 14-13 lead, they were also hanging onto the decision whether West Central Area/Ashby indeed converted for two to take a 15-14 lead. The initial call was that they did, but the call was overturned and they held onto the lead for the final three minutes to claim the AA title.

So yes, the Gophers had one call not go their way, but another one did. In the end, they were able to bring home the state title.

Chatfield got on board midway through the first quarter when backup quarterback Parker Delaney ran in from six yards out for a 6-0 lead. The two-point conversion failed and West Central Area/ Ashby answered when QB Evan Paulson connected with Cole Anderson on a 30yard score. Paulson kicked the extra point for a 7-6 lead after the first quarter. At this point it appeared the game would be close and perhaps come down to a final play.

Chatfield’s defense gave them a boost midway through the second quarter when Carter Daniels scooped up a fumble and jaunted 31 yards to the end zone. This time they converted on the two-point conversion when Drew O’Connor found Grady Schott for a 14-7 lead.

It stayed that way until there was 3:51 left in the game. That’s when West Central’s Paulson scored from a yard out to make it 14-13. Anthony Sykora then tried to score on the two-point conversion and while the initial ruling was that he did score, it was overturned.

The Gophers were able to keep WCA/A from scoring in the waning minutes to claim the AA title.

Delaney turned in a solid performance on quick notice for the Gophers by completing five passes for 67 yards. He also rushed for 35 yards and did not have a turnover. Kailan Schott led the Gophers in rushing with 71 yards on 10 carries. In all, the Gophers rushed for 143 yards on 38 carries and finished with 210 yards of total offense.

West Central only managed 68 yards on the ground thanks to a stingy Chatfield defense. Paulson was 15-for-29 in the air for 203 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off three times. Anderson had four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown while Hunter Norby also caught four passes for 71 yards.

Chatfield finished their 2021 campaign with a 13-1 record. Their lone loss came to Plainview-Elgin-Millville in the season opener. P-E-M played in the Class AAA title game, losing to Dassel-Cokato.

West Central Area/Ashby finished 11-