Gophers Trudge Past Bombers

The final score was close.  It was primarily a smash-mouth run-versus-run football game.  But two of three scores came through the air and the third was set up by a big pass play, as Chatfield football hosted Cannon Falls.  Gopher Reid Johnson’s 55-yard TD pass to Ben Brogan, who made a play on an underthrown ball, put the Gophers up 7-0.  In the final minute of the half, Chatfield had four-play 46-yard drive, capped by Johnson threading the needle to Chance Backer from 5 yards out.  Chatfield led 13-0 at intermission.  CF closed the gap late in the third.  A 32-yard pass play set up a 1-yard Brodie Hansen TD-run.  Chatfield took time off the clock in the fourth with a 12-play drive.  They got to 3rd and goal at the two, but came away empty (6:34).  The Bombers got the ball and moved it to near midfield.  But Nathan Goldsmith registered a big tackle for loss on 3rd and 3.  A fourth down pass fell incomplete.  Jeff Johnson’s group prevailed 13-6.  Gage Tuohy notched his second 100-yard rushing game for the Gophers (22-112 yards).   Johnson’s completions (4-11, 76 yards, 2 TDs) were key.  On 38 carries, the Gopher defense held the Bombers to 102 yards rushing (2.7 per carry).  Chatfield (1-0, 2-0) is ranked #7 in Class AA.