Judge upholds suspension of Chatfield QB for state title game

A judge has upheld the suspension of the star quarterback of a southeastern Minnesota high school football team.

The ruling, issued Friday morning, means Chatfield quarterback Sam Backer won’t be able to play in the state championship game.

Backer was suspended by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) from the title game because of two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in Chatfield’s last game.

Backer and his family said they hoped the judge would issue a restraining order and allow him to play in the championship game.

Charles Maier, the Backer family’s attorney, sent the following statement to our sister station, KAAL-TV:

"The family was hoping only for an opportunity to have their son’s suspension reviewed and are disappointed in the outcome. They are grateful to the parents who have reached out to share stories of their own children being denied the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of competing in the state tournament with no avenue for appeal. They hope that the MSHSL will reconsider its policy of not reviewing athlete suspensions under any circumstances and develop a fair process.

"Today, my client and his family are focused entirely on cheering the Chatfield Gophers on to a victory in the state championship. They are a talented team and have worked hard all season for this chance."