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.
Gophers Trudge Past Bombers
