Chatfield senior Sam Backer is from "The Gateway to Bluff Country," population fewer than 3,000. He could have stayed hidden there, but he made himself obvious.
A quarterback/running back, he has 7,045 career rushing yards — 458 behind McLeod West's Tyler Evans' state record of 7,503 set from 1999-2001 — with potentially two games remaining. The Gophers, 11-0 and ranked first in Class 2A, face Eden Valley-Watkins in the football state tournament semifinals at 11:30 a.m. Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"Sam is one of the most explosive runners we've ever seen in southern Minnesota," Chatfield coach Jeff Johnson said.
Backer, committed to Minnesota State Mankato for college, has 2,450 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns this season. He becomes even more of a challenge for defenses when you throw in his passing game and receiving skills.
"With 4.4 speed and a 530-pound squat, it makes him extremely tough to bring down," Johnson said. "Adding in balance, vision and great athleticism has created one of the best rushers in Minnesota history."
As a freshman, Backer ran for 1,429 yards. His sophomore season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic; he rushed for 782 yards in five games. As a junior he churned out 2,384 yards on the ground. He has 94 rushing touchdowns in his career.
Backer missed the Gophers' 14-13 victory over West Central Area/Ashby for the Class 2A state championship a year ago after being suspended for two unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties in a 22-18 semifinal victory over Barnesville. Under Minnesota State High School League rules, a second foul leads to automatic disqualification for the remainder of the game along with the next game.
U.S. District Judge Ann D. Montgomery upheld the suspension hours before the state championship game, denying his family's request to allow him to play in the state championship game while he appealed the game officials' ruling.
