(Guthrie Center) Two teams with similar styles go head-to-head Friday when ACGC hosts South Hamilton in a Class 1A playoff matchup.
The 7-1 Chargers and 4-4 Hawks are each employ a heavy rushing attack. ACGC leads Class 1A with 2,913 rushing yards while South Hamilton is 5th with 2,111. ACGC head coach Cody Matthewson admits the similar philosophies should simplify the preparation process. “It’s a knock ’em out, drag ’em out, fist fight in a phone booth type game. Same concepts. A lot of the same stuff we did in 2019. Defensively it’s going to come down to who knows how to stop their own offense.”
The Chargers are coming off of their first loss of the year. They suffered 41-7 loss to Van Meter in Week 8. The game started with a bang on Cayden Jensen’s 6th career kickoff return for a touchdown. “He’s just a special one. I wish I could see what he sees. He’s so patient with everything and lets everything set up out in front of him.” Matthewson credits the ten guys blocking as well as assistant coach Taylor Morris who handles the special teams duties.”
Six career kickoff return touchdowns matches the 11-player state record, shared by Hunter Haveman (Mount Ayr, 2016-18) and Brian Preston (West Marshall, 1986-89) Jensen has four kickoff return TD’s this season alone. The single season record is five, held by Johnston’s Marcus Montgomery from 2010. Jensen is averaging 56.3 yards per attempt. ACGC is the Class 1A, District 7 runner-up. South Hamilton is the #3 seed from District 2. They are making their fourth playoff appearance in the last five years. South Hamilton was once 2-4, but won their last two games convincingly to make the playoffs including a 51-0 victory in Week 8 against Eagle Grove.
ACGC coach Cody Matthewson:
