(Guthrie Center) ACGC is among the final eight teams playing football in Class 1A. The Chargers will be in action at top ranked and undefeated Van Meter on Friday night.
It’s unchartered territory for ACGC to be alive this deep in the postseason. Coach Cody Matthewson says, “Yea, it’s pretty neat. I’m obviously really excited about where we are at. I’m excited about the way we are playing. I’m really proud of our kids and excited for the opportunity they have here. Here we are, we have a chance and we are one win away from the dome. This was our expectation, we wanted to be here, we thought we could be here, and here we are. We just have to be able to go seize the moment and the opportunity and go take care of business on Friday night.”
This will be the sixth time they’ve faced Van Meter in the last four years and for the 5th straight time they are on the road. While they are scouring the film for any tweaks that can be made they are also putting a premium on execution, which is something they did well in their 34-13 win at South Central Calhoun last week. “You can have the best game plan in the world, but you still have to go out and execute that and play disciplined ball. We played probably our best game that we have played. All three phases were phenomenal. Our open field tackling was the best that it has been. If we can do those things and execute at a high level and play with a lot of energy just like we played with against South Central Calhoun you know we are going to give ourselves a chance to go into Van Meter and give ourselves a chance to be playing in the dome.”
ACGC averages 8.1 yards per carry on the season, but were held to just four yards per attempt in a 41-7 loss at Van Meter in Week 8. They’ll have to find a way to crack Van Meter’s vaunted run defense in the rematch. “You have to find wrinkles and find weaknesses of your opponent. There’s not many for Van Meter. There’s not a lot of weaknesses. I think our kids are pretty well coached and disciplined and they execute and are pretty darn good as well.” Matthewson says, “I’m very confident with our guys and our mentality and what we can do and what we are capable of.”
Van Meter is 20-5 in its last 25 playoff games. They’ve won a school record 41 consecutive home games, dating back to November 2014. The Bulldogs seek their 7th straight trip to the dome.
ACGC coach Cody Matthewson:
