(Guthrie Center) Life is good for the ACGC players, coaches, and fans. The Chargers are enjoying their best year in program history with a 6-0 record and an average margin of victory of over 35 points per game.
ACGC held Interstate-35 to 105 yards in Week 6. They gave up no passing yards and an average of just 2.8 yards per carry. The week prior Nodaway Valley/O-M managed just 153 yards, over half of which came on one play in the 4th quarters. Depth and physicality have been two important elements. Coach Cody Matthewson says, “The biggest thing we talked about is the ability for us to have a rotation and the depth was our biggest thing and we have that. Not a lot of two-way players. That allows our guys to stay fresh and fly around and play with their hair on fire. We kind of have that defense wins championships mentality. It kind of helps when the head coach is a defensive guy so I take a lot of pride in that. That physicality carries over to our style of football. It’s a pound the rock type offense, so we aren’t going to give that up on defense.”
Gavin Cornelison has 32 tackles, Cayden Jensen 27, and Ben Marsh 23.5. The offense continues to click. In last week’s 35-6 decision over Interstate-35 Gavin Cornelison carried 24 times for 240 yards and two scores. “Experience is huge. We have a fantastic offensive line. The biggest things is staying healthy. Victor Gonzalez, and all-state offensive linemen went down with a knee injury and will be week-to-week. We have really good size and we have the knowledge of what we are trying to do.”
A huge matchup with undefeated and top ranked Van Meter looms in Week 8, but Coach Matthewson is adamant that it’s not hard to stay focused on the task at hand this week. “No. Not when you’re playing Panorama. It’s one that they’ve had our number the last few years. They gave us a whooping since I’ve been here. This one is for every one of the kids that’s been on the wrong end of the stick since 2018 and even further.
Panorama has defeated ACGC by scores of 42-8, 48-8, and 26-0 the last three seasons. The Panthers are 1-5 on the season and has lost five straight including a 23-0 setback to West Central Valley last week.
ACGC coach Cody Matthewson:
