(Guthrie Center) ACGC has been no stranger to close contests this season. The 3-1 Chargers have had every single game decided by six points or less.
ACGC hosts Nodaway Valley/O-M in a game that will air on KSOM this week. Coach Cody Matthewson says practices have been very intense as of late as they ratchet things up for the stretch run. “We just have to finish games. We have to come out fast. We have to come out strong. We have to do those things and we have to finish the game. We have to win the 4th quarter. We really haven’t done that yet this year. The challenge is there, but the mindset right now is we are playing playoff football right now. That is the mindset every week. It doesn’t matter who we are playing, who is across the ball from us, what personnel it is, what color jersey they have on. We are a playoff mindset every single game. You have to go 1-0. It’s live and die right now.”
ACGC had a lot to replace from last year and those who have stepped up are starting to become evident. “By no surprise, Payton Jacobe is a much better ball player than he was last year. He was a good player for us and this year he’s just taken things to a whole new level.” Matthewson says, “One kid that is probably playing more this year than he ever would have anticipated going into the year would be sophomore Ben Franzeen. He worked his way into the starting lineup because of an injury and we pretty much said keep doing what you’re doing and play down hill and play hard. He’s been our middle linebacker and he’s done a really good job.”
With 1,199 yards the Chargers have the 5th best rushing attack in Class 1A. They have averaged 54.5 rushing attempts per game.
ACGC coach Cody Matthewson:
