PrepRedzoneMN Preseason Preview: Chatfield Gophers

The most dramatic 2021-22 postseason campaign undoubtedly goes to AA champ, Chatfield. The Gophers, led by some beef in the trenches of their senior class as well as arguably the best small school player regardless of class in RB [player_tooltip player_id="112047" first="Sam" last="Backer"], now a senior and defending state champion, overcame suspensions, appeals, and the most exhilarating state title game of the seven classes of the 2021 state tournament to wear the AA crown. It shouldn't have come as much of a surprise to the more hardcore followers of MN prep football, as they've produced some very impressive players the past three years with college readiness and talent all over the gridiron. The talent that came before them and experience against powerhouse and conference rival Caledonia culminated for the 2022 class in their state championship last fall - the program's first since 2013 - and I'm sure the '23s would like to capitalize on the momentum and repeat as the big dog of MN's AA class. After previewing the 6A, 5A, 4A, and AAA defending state champions, PrepRedzoneMN is thrilled to move into the AA ranks, beginning with the Chatfield Gophers. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!   Team Review   Seven turnovers between the Gophers and AA state final competitor West Central Area/Ashby, a successful onside kick, and a go-ahead two-point conversion overturned on review were just a few of the highlights of the AA championship game, and that's not to mention the fireworks that went down prior to kickoff. In what was a well covered development that I'm sure is still fresh on everyone's mind, the AA state semifinal between Chatfield and Barnesville resulted in the Gophers' star QB and Minnesota State-Mankato RB commit [player_tooltip player_id="112047" first="Sam" last="Backer"] being suspended for the following week's state championship game after a pair of unsportsmanlike penalties were called on him during the semifinal contest. Backer would appeal the suspension but was denied by a federal judge, and then-sophomore backup Parker Delany was tasked with the pressure-filled assignment of filling in for the team's most productive player in the biggest game of the season. Luckily, good coaches and a bought-in culture can do wonders, and the Gophers couldn't be denied in what resulted in a 14-13 white-knuckle, edge-of-your-seat victory the town 2,700 won't soon forget. With that thrilling season behind them and some serious size gone and graduated, I think 2022 is going to be all about the skill positions, and luckily PrepRedzoneMN has you covered with the breakdown of their returning roster below. You'll have to wait for my official state championship predictions later this month, but Chatfield is definitely bringing back enough talent and experience to go deep and potentially win it all once again.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SamBacker5/status/1549123982485606406?s=20&t=T098l0X7sVSA30U-Lb2tOg </div></figure>   Key Departures: Caden Nolte - OL. 6'2, 275 lbs. Iowa Central CC commit   Mason Clemens - OL/DL.   Grady Schott - TE/LB. 6', 200 lbs.   Campbell Berge - LB/OL. 6', 215 lbs.   --   Big Games of '22: Friday, 10/7 vs. Caledonia   Wednesday, 10/19 @ Goodhue   Players to Step Up   Drew Schindler - DB/WR. C/o 2023.   I like how comfortable Schindler looks deep downfield when the ball is hanging in the air and there's still time to make a play on the ball. Schindler was all over the deep ball as a junior and made some solid undercuts and plays on the rock that should stay in the memory of returning QB opponents and make them think twice about going deep against Chatfield's #7. The senior CB can also cover ground quickly when diagnosing and reading run, and can be left out on an island and trusted on the perimeter of the defense. Be careful throwing against Schindler and the Gophers this fall, and although he's already stepped up as a junior, if he can lock down the defensive secondary it's going to relieve a lot of pressure on the Front-7 and allow them to play more freely. I can't wait to see how he levels up once again.   Luke Carrier - WR/LB. C/o 2023. 5'10, 180 lbs.   For his size, Carrier is efficient at breaking tackles, getting off blocks, and form tackling with strength, and is overall a versatile piece to Chatfield's 2023 class and can play closer to the LOS or downfield in the passing/pass coverage game. The athleticism and football acumen are there, and if Carrier put in some hard work in the offseason and upped his weight and strength he's going to see his workload and expectations increased. Don't forget about #6, a lot of those little things he does very well are keys to success in big moments and games.   Isaac Stevens - OL/DL. C/o 2023. 6'3, 205 lbs.   A returning All-District pick on the defensive line for 2021, Stevens' length, hand usage, motor, and ability to tackle in space all made him an asset for the Gophers defense last fall, but he'll have to step things up a notch and really assert himself as a dominant AA defensive lineman in order for Chatfield to get back to the top of Class AA. It all starts in the trenches, and a DE/3T who can impact the run and pass game is irreplaceable and makes the remaining 10 defenders jobs a whole lot easier for four quarters.   Mike Greiner - OL. C/o 2023. 5'10, 200 lbs.   An interior OL prospect with a good initial punch, leg drive, and pad level for his size, Greiner is a valuable run blocker and was an integral part of the AA state title run last year. Another offseason in the weight room will only aid his fearless attitude and presence from the OG and OC spots in Chatfield's run game, especially with all of the graduating mass and muscle that graduated in the 2022 class. A lot more will be riding on the shoulders of the 5'10, 200+ pounder in 2022.   Jackson Schild - RB/FS. C/o 2023. 5'7, 160 lbs.   A North/South runner who can run through weaker tackle attempts without losing balance or momentum and explodes through the hole once he gets it in sight. Schild had a monster performance against Dover-Eyota as a junior but will look to replicate that success week-to-week as a senior and could be an incredibly useful offensive weapon given the amount of attention Backer will draw to Chatfield's offensive backfield.   Top Dogs   [player_tooltip player_id="112047" first="Sam" last="Backer"] - QB/RB. Class of 2023. 5'11, 205 lbs.   Backer posted a crazy 3,117 total all-purpose yards and 51 TDs as a junior last fall and followed it up with an All-Conference track season that saw him closely sniffing a sub 11-second 100M dash and a state qualification in the 4x100, 4x200, and 100M dash. He also shut down his college football recruitment in July and committed to the heavyweight DII contender MSU-Mankato, where he'll tote the rock as a RB after he finishes out his QB career as a prep. He's got power, speed, and a joystick of moves in the open field that gave would-be tacklers fits last season. He's only gotten bigger, faster, and stronger, and is as hungry as every after missing that state championship game. He'll be a nightmare for AA defensive coordinators and opponents. Get out of his way!   [player_tooltip player_id="295968" first="Cole" last="Johnson"] - WR/DB. Class of 2023. 6'4, 190 lbs.   A classic well-built, two-sport football & basketball standout from small-town Minnesota, Johnson entered August with two DIII roster spots from UW-Eau Claire and St. Olaf and could raise his recruiting stock into the scholarship ranks with a good senior season and more dynamic plays added to his film resume. As a junior, Johnson put good things on tape including contested catch wins, the speed to run vertical routes downfield, and missed tackles after the catch. NSIC schools should be keeping a close eye on the 6'4 pass catcher throughout his senior season and into basketball time.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/FP7pnaSWQAUc4Uu-685x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-405138" /><figcaption>Backer & Johnson</figcaption></figure>   Breakout Candidates   Drew O'Connor - TE/OLB. C/o 2023. 6'3, 200 lbs.   A tall, long, and three-phase contributor who sets the physical tone with his play style and propensity for contact, O'Connor is a beast at kickoff coverage and when setting the edge and explodes through contact no matter the situation. He's also a vicious run blocker as a TE and should see an uptick in his passing targets after coming on strong in that department towards the end of his junior year. Deeper into his junior tape, you also see a little coverage defense as an LB, so I get the feeling that O'Connor won't leave the field as a senior and will make himself known to opposing coaches and teams week to week in 2022. All that valuable but dirty hard work has paid off!   Kailan Schott - RB/LB. C/o 2024   This rising upperclassman had a good showing as a sophomore in 2021 and was fun to watch easily navigate and flow through traffic and to the pigskin in run defense. He identifies and finds the ball well, and is an efficient cut tackler who can chop down larger ball carriers at their legs. I also love how slippery he is at avoiding blocks and using superior body positioning to not get ran out of the play by larger blockers. I also like the aggression and contact balance he shows as a RB, and now that Schott entered his upperclassman era I think his natural feel for the game and play strength is going to make big waves and solidify himself as a key figurehead to the Gophers defense.   Carter Daniels - DB/FB. C/o 2023.   One of the hero's of the state championship who picked off a West Central Area/Ashby pass and took it to the house for six, Daniels made another beautiful break on the ball for an interception against Goodhue and also showed his capability as a tackler both when coming downhill and running the alley and patrolling the edge of the LOS from his safety spot. He made some clutch shoestring tackles last fall and has a great trigger on the football once he diagnoses run OR pass. The Gophers defensive secondary is loaded in 2022 and a lot of the balance and talent from the group begins with Mr. Daniels.   Team Recruiting News   It's looking like Backer will hold the keys as the heavyweight recruit at Chatfield for this ongoing recruiting cycle, and although he's already committed that shouldn't stop Northern Sun and MIAC coaches from making the Gophers a must-stop this fall. There are natural and experienced prospects all across the board who would make great additions to squads that believe and trust in MN talent, and it shouldn't have to be said too much that state tournament and championship experience is very valuable in recruits from a college perspective. With UW-Eau Claire and St. Olaf already having some in roads with some of the Gopher '23s, I'd expect some group interest and visits among the seniors and hopefully a nice contingent heading to the next level to play together. To stay up to date with the latest recruiting news on Chatfield prep football players, as well as prospects from every class and corner of the state, make sure to keep refreshing that PrepRedzone home page!   Other Players to Know   Sean Koenigs - OT/DE. C/o 2023. 6'3, 210 lbs.   Sulley Ferguson - TE/OLB. C/o 2023   Jacob Erickson - ATH. C/o 2023   Parker Delaney - QB. C/o 2024.   Caden Boyum - WR. C/o 2024   [player_tooltip player_id='1581544' first='Ben' last='Carrier'] - RB. C/o 2025. 5'7, 150 lbs.   Cole Novotny - WR. C/o 2024. 6'1, 155 lbs.   Brayden Horsman - WR. C/o 2024. 5'5. 130 lbs.   Connor McGill - WR. C/o 2024. 5'10, 150 lbs.   Westin Nolte - OL. C/o 2025.   Devin Reinhardt - WR. C/o 2024. 6'1, 160 lbs.   Samual Finley - TE. C/o 2024. 5'10, 170 lbs.   Thad Evans - OL. C/o 2023. 6', 190 lbs.   & more!

The most dramatic 2021-22 postseason campaign undoubtedly goes to AA champ, Chatfield. The Gophers, led by some beef in the trenches of their senior class as well as arguably the best small school player regardless of class in RB Sam Backer Sam Backer 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Chatfield | 2023 State MN , now a senior and defending state champion, overcame suspensions, appeals, and the most exhilarating state title game of the seven classes of the 2021 state tournament to wear the AA crown. It shouldn't have come as much of a surprise to the more hardcore followers of MN prep football, as they've produced some very impressive players the past three years with college readiness and talent all over the gridiron. The talent that came before them and experience against powerhouse and conference rival Caledonia culminated for the 2022 class in their state championship last fall - the program's first since 2013 - and I'm sure the '23s would like to capitalize on the momentum and repeat as the big dog of MN's AA class. After previewing the 6A, 5A, 4A, and AAA defending state champions, PrepRedzoneMN is thrilled to move into the AA ranks, beginning with the Chatfield Gophers. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!