(Guthrie Center, IA) – ACGC comes out of their homecoming game with a win. The Chargers were able to score on their first drive of the game and never looked back.
Riverside started out the game with the ball, and after a seven-minute drive, the Bulldogs were never able to get anything out of the drive as they had penalty after penalty drawing them back further. After the punt, it took ACGC just 56 seconds to drive down to the other end of the field and put themselves up 7-0. After the initial drive, Riverside had a turnover on downs once again and gave the Chargers a chance once again to drive down the field. While time was about to expire in the first quarter, quarterback Jathan South had a rush up the middle to gain a key first down which led to another scoring drive to end the first quarter with a 14-0 Charger lead.
In the second quarter, the Bulldogs made the game much tighter as Riverside was able to earn a touchdown off a throw by Grady Jeppesen to Taven Moore to make it a one-score game at 14-7. ACGC saw the lone completed pass of the game in the second quarter as Anthony Solorzano was wide open to not only gain the first down but put the Chargers within two yards of the goal line. After the rush by Mike Fuller in the middle, it led to another touchdown which put the Chargers at a 21-7 lead going into halftime.
After a defensive and scoreless third quarter, it all came down to the fourth quarter of action. The Chargers got the ball back after a failed drive by Riverside and it was the game of Solorzano as he rushed down to the goal line to help the Chargers get even better field positioning. After just one snap, the Chargers added on another touchdown to put themselves up 27-7 early in the fourth quarter. Riverside attempted to come back on a drive and relied on the passing game. The Bulldogs marched downfield and got the touchdown on a rush by Jaxon Gordon and a great block by Wyatt Bell. While taking a timeout, the Bulldogs went for two and completed the two-point conversion to put them within 12 points. Unfortunately, even with that momentum, ACGC was able to run off the clock and take their fifth straight win of the season over Riverside 27-15. Head coach Cody Matthewson and his Chargers are still undefeated and have won their last 21 out of 26 games played over the last three seasons.
The Chargers took their win on homecoming night as they were able to let their playing ability go over the win column. While the Chargers rely on the rushing game, a lot of players have been banged up but it is worth it in the end for their teammates and their stats on the night. Coach Matthewson has seen this in his athletes and knows that this game means more than just a win.
The player of the game was Anthony Solorzano as he rushed on multiple big-time plays and had the game of his life both offensively and defensively as he was able to also have a 20+ yard kick return for ACGC to lead them on their scoring drive in the fourth quarter.
ACGC will take on IKM-Manning while Riverside will take on Southwest Valley next Friday.
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