High School Football Focus: Offensive line has been a key to Chatfield's perfect start

CHATFIELD — Jeff Johnson has coached football at Chatfield for 20 years, the last 19 as its head man.

In that span, the Gophers have won two state championships and finished second once.

Likely never — even in those state title years — has he directed an offensive line as talented and forceful as the one in front of him now.

Ethan Cole (6-foot-3, 250 pounds, senior), Jackson Bernard (6-1, 205, junior), Westin Nolte (5-11, 200, senior), Mitchel Hinckley (6-0, 210, junior) and Jacob Stevens (6-5, 270, senior) are a breed apart.

"We only had to bring in one new starter (Bernard) this year," said Johnson, whose team is 5-0 and ranked third in Class 2A. "All of these other guys have a year of varsity experience under their belt, which is crucial to play at a high level. These guys take a lot of pride in knowing that they are the foundation of our football team. We'll go as far as they bring us. They love being where they're at and they love being physical.

"Keeping these guys healthy is going to be a key to our success at the end of the season."

One year ago, Chatfield ended 7-3, two of those losses to Dover-Eyota including a season-ending loss in the Section 1-2A semifinals.

That Gophers team didn't have the benefit of this now more seasoned and bigger, stronger, faster 2024 offensive line.

The difference is considerable. The guys up front have gone from good to overwhelming; from the slightest bit hesitant, to knowing exactly how to perform.

"They are just bigger and more aggressive (than last season)," said Caledonia coach Carl Fruechte, whose Warriors lost 20-13 to Chatfield on Sept. 13. "They're very locked in. It's a heck of an offensive line. Jeff and the coaches over there do a great job. Their offensive lines are always good. But it just felt like this one was a little more confident."

It is that year of varsity starting experience that all but Bernard received last year that has made such a difference.

Cole, also a defensive lineman who will play next year at Division I University of North Dakota, credits both experience and desire as pushing this current bunch of blockers to new heights.

Their goals are hefty.

"I think our drive is more than it was last year," Cole said. "We want to win a state championship before we leave as seniors."

It is a group that has dedicated itself to that wish.

That has meant rising in time to be in the Chatfield weight room by 6 a.m. three days per week during the school year, with sprints added during the offseason.

"I enjoy that," Stevens said. "I like doing my lifting in the morning. It's fun. As for our line, we take a lot of pride in what we do."

Here is a breakdown of each of the Chatfield starting offensive linemen, per coach Johnson:

Ethan Cole: "Ethan is going to go to UND to play defensive end. He's a three-year starter for us. The game has slowed way down for him now. He is very athletic in space. I can pull him and get him out on the edge blocking linebackers and defensive backs. That's why he was recruited at a high level."

Jackson Bernard: "Jackson is a dedicated weight-room guy. He is strong but he still moves like a skill-position kid. He's got really good feet."

Westin Nolte: "He is strong and athletic. He could probably play tight end for us. He's got really good ball skills and is a baseball pitcher. He moves really well for an offensive lineman."

Mitchel Hinckley: "He is extremely fast and explosive and strong. He is also one of our best defensive players. He was a starter as a sophomore."

Jacob Stevens: "He just keeps growing and getting bigger. He's really opened some eyes of area college coaches. Whoever snags him first is going to get a diamond in the rough. He is having a monster year for us."

It feels silly to keep putting Hungerholt on this Top Performers list. But it would feel even sillier not to. It's demanded of us when the senior does what he did Friday night, rushing for 223 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries, and passing for 166 and two scores.

It came in a heartbreaking defeat to Lakeville South (46-43), but boy, Peterson put up some numbers against the Cougars. The junior quarterback completed 24 of 28 passes for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Coming up with one "pick six" in a season is a feat. Thome got more than a season's worth in one game, twice picking off Winona passes and turning them into touchdowns in a 28-7 win. Both TDs covered close to 60 yards.

It was just one play, but it was a huge one. With John Marshall's 19-16 lead hanging by a thread, senior safety Chatman came through with a fierce tackle on a New Prague receiver, jarring the ball loose and JM recovering it with 1 minute left in regulation. The 19-16 win moved the Rockets to 4-1.

This is quite a season that Heimer is turning in. On Friday, the junior ran for 189 yards and three touchdowns, and caught three passes for 94 yards and a TD as the Bears beat No. 5-ranked (Class 3A) Holy Family Catholic 41-24. Byron is ranked seventh in Class 4A.

1. Stewartville (5–0)

That Tigers' defense is special. They are allowing a tiny 3.8 points per game, the best mark in all of Class 3A. Not coincidentally, Stewartville is also ranked first in Class 3A. Stewartville can also score, averaging 40 points per game. The defending state champions have the look of a team that's going to repeat as state champs.

The closest that anyone has come to No. 3-ranked Chatfield is No. 5 Caledonia, 20-13. The Gophers just got done smacking No. 6 Triton 33-6. Chatfield runs the ball as well as anyone, led by an offensive line that is second to none in Class 2A. Against Triton, it was D'Andre Williams' turn for a big game. He rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Once again, the Cardinals made it look easy Friday, this time blasting Grand Meadow 54-12. Quarterback Camden Hungerholt ran for 223 yards and two scores and passed for 166 and two scores. L-O/L-P averages nearly 50 points per game.

The Warriors haven't been an incredibly high-scoring team (27 points per game). But their defense has been excellent. Caledonia allows just eight points per game. It's done that through a tough schedule, with games against top 10-ranked teams Chatfield (20-13 loss) and Cannon Falls (41-20 win). Caledonia has pitched three shutouts — against Lourdes, Dover-Eyota and La Crescent-Hokah.

The No. 4-ranked Wildcats (Class 1A) have passed every test in front of them. That includes beating powerhouse Blooming Prairie as well as sturdy Lewiston-Altura. They will be heavy favorites in their next three games, meaning they'll almost certainly enter the playoffs a perfect 8-0.

The Knights played Friday night without star quarterback Kaaleem Reiland and will do it again this Friday, Oct. 4, when they host Spring Grove. No matter, at least in Friday's 33-6 win over Mabel-Canton. Kingsland got excellent play from second-string QB Caden Reiter. He passed for 101 yards and completed 10 of 16 tries.

After losing to Caledonia one week ago, the Bombers got back to their winning ways in dropping Lourdes 40-8. Cannon Falls scores 42 points per game and gives up 16. The run-heavy Bombers rushed for 383 yards against Lourdes' normally stout defense.

Just one hiccup for the Blossoms and that was to No. 4-ranked Goodhue (39-28 loss). The Brady Kittelson-led team just got done dropping 55 points on Kenyon-Wanamingo.

Other than an overtime loss to Blooming Prairie in Week 2, nobody has come close to beating defending section champion Fillmore Central. Quarterback Bridon Bahl continues to excel. He completed 12 of 17 passes Friday in a 42-14 win over solid Winona Cotter.