Photo by Paul Trende
It was a great run; twenty-six straight wins. It will be remembered; back-to-back state title game visits. But Chatfield football’s hopes of a repeat title were nixed by a strong Barnesville team, an unsung Trojan player, and turnovers. The Gophers had five. And a 5 to 0 miscue margin was insurmountable, as #1 Chatfield (Section 1A Champ, 13-0) fell to #3 Barnesville (Section 8AA champion, 12-0) in the 2022 Class AA state title game. The Gophers beat the Trojans 22-18 in last year’s semis, minus star running back Sam Backer. Chatfield rallied from down 18-8, doing so on the backs of two long TD passes. Long passes in the re-match weren’t so fruitful. Barnesville scored on its second possession (key runs of 24, 44, and 13). A Dawson Gregg 2-yard TD (plus PAT) made it 7-0. But Chatfield replied in the second quarter, as Backer hit Kail Schott for a 39-yard TD pass. The Gophers fake-PAT resulted in a Luke Carrier two-point run and an 8-7 Gopher lead. It was Chatfield’s only edge. They resultantly held Barnesville to a three-and-out, but the Gophers first turnover, a Backer fumble, gave the Trojans a short field. The 34-yard drive was capped by a Zach Bredman to Tate Inniger 8-yard TD pass. The two-point run made it 15-8. That name, Inniger, will haunt the Gophers. Chatfield’s next possession ended in an interception on a throw into double coverage. Owen Riddle’s 49-yard return, plus a Gopher 15-yard penalty, set Barnesville up again. On their second play, Bredman hit Inniger, a 6’3” 260-pound blocking tight end, for 28-yard TD pass. Another conversion made it 23-8 as the half waned. But the Gophers critically drove the field. A Backer 18-yard TD run on 4th and three (0:11) made the halftime score 23-14. But turnovers plagued Chatfield in the second half too. After stopping Barnesville, Chatfield was driving. On a second and five play, Backer was again intercepted by Riddle. The Trojans then went 73 yards in 11 plays, Bredman to Inniger (9-yard TD pass) capping it. Barnesville went up 29-14. The Gophers threatened to turn up the heat. Following a fantastic 36-yard Backer run, the senior RB authored a 1-yard TD run. But Chatfield’s PAT was wide right, leaving it a two-score game at 29-20. And Barnesville replied, going 70 yards in eight plays. Included was a 15-yard scramble by back-up QB Gannon Bolgrean on 4th and 11. Inniger then capped the series with a one-yard TD plunge. It was his fifth offensive touch, his fourth TD. With 4:14 left, B-ville led 35-20.
Photo by Leif Erickson
Chatfield’s next series ended with a fourth interception. Barnesville senior Jonathan Robideau; “We thought they stole it from us (last year). Let’s take it back!” The Trojans did, winning the Class AA state title, their first ever, 35-20. Backer carried a heavy load (28-188, 2 TDs rushing; 7 of 15, 111 yards, TD, 4 INTs passing). Cole Johnson (3-31 receiving), Drew O’Connor (2-32 receiving), and Schott (36-yard TD reception) led the receivers. Johnson got injured in the first half. Barnesville got more balance from QB Z-Bredman (4 of 5, 57 yards, 3 TDs passing, 9-56 rushing), John Roller (8-104 rushing), and Inniger (3-45, 3 TD receiving, 1-yard TD run, 1 of 1 passing, 12 yards), who most certainly had the game of his career. Total yards (C 304, B 316) and first downs (C 16, B 14) were close. Like the five turnovers, the 35 points given up was a season-high. Chatfield gave up 27 the previous three play-off games combined. “We had a game plan coming in. Thought those pass plays would work. Number nine had two interceptions,” coach Jeff Johnson said contritely. On Inniger’s game; “that didn’t surprise us. We had a couple defensive stunts (on said pass plays). Those kids made plays. Give (Barnesville) credit. They made great plays.” Barnesville Coach Bryan Strand: “We worked our tail off for this. These guys put in so much work for this. They deserve it.” Strand’s dad is former Southland coach Dick Strand. Riddle (whose father played for the 1996 Hawley team that fell to Chatfield in the Class C final); “It’s not revenge. It’s justice!” Chatfield’s excellent season ends at 13-1 as Class AA runner-up. The Gopher massive senior class of Backer, Johnson, Carrier, O’Connor, Carter Daniels, Drew Schindler, Eli Hopp, Jacob Erickson, Jackson Schild, Isaac Erding, Sulley Ferguson, Michael Greiner, Ryan Nosbisch, Jake Brogan, Blake Thompson, Rory Lane, Sean Koenigs, Thad Evans, Isaac Stevens, and Lynn Borgen went 26-2 the past two years and 30-3 the past three. They added another huge chapter to Chatfield’s strong football tradition.
