(Guthrie Center, IA) — AC/GC is trying to do something they have never done as a football team — win in the quarterfinals and take a trip to the UNI-Dome. The Chargers host the West Sioux Falcons tonight, coverage on KSOM.
AC/GC beat Logan Magnolia 33-7 in the first round and then topped Mount Ayr 21-7 last week. The Chargers won last week despite losing the turnover battle and giving up an 83 yard TD run in the 4th quarter but the Raiders were shut down most of the game. Head Coach Cody Matthewson says it was not their best performance of the season but it was a win and everything that went wrong can be fixed
Tonight, AC/GC will have to be on top of their game facing a West Sioux that has something that the Chargers don’t have — a long tradition of success. The Falcons won state titles in 2017 and 2018 and were runners up in 2022 and 2023.
West Sioux is led by Senior QB Blake Wiggins who has thrown for 1,649 yards, 22 TD and 9 INT. He has also rushed for 546 yards and 13 more scores. Matthewson says that Wiggins is a playmaker
Wiggins main target is Junior Tailback Braylon Lopez who has 34 catches for 615 yards and 6 TD and has run for 1,167 yards and 11 TD. Matthewson says his defense cannot just worry about the pass
West Sioux only won 3 games last season but Wiggins went down with an early season injury and Head Coach Ryan Schwiesow says his return has sparked a balanced offense
On the defensive side, Junior LB Eli Mora leads West Sioux in tackles with 64.5 including 8 TFL and 5 sacks. Senior DL Hunter Doyle has 14.5 TFL and 6 sacks. Junior Gavin Gerritson has 58.5 tackles and 7.5 TFLs. Schwiesow says they have a lot of guys who stand out
AC/GC has two one thousand yard rushers — Senior Joe Crawford with 1,180 yards and 17 TD and Senior Brexton Schneider with 1,010 yards and 15 TD. The Chargers will run and Schweisow knows they will run it
AC/GC has been in this position before — win and go to the Dome. They lost on their home field last year to eventual champion Tri Center. They lost at home two years ago to Matthewson’s alma mater Madrid. 2021 it was at Van Meter. Matthewson says the playoff disappointments have to end at some point
#8 West Sioux 9-1 visits #4 AC/GC 10-0, Scouting Report at 5, In the Huddle 5:15, Pre Game 6:30, Kickoff 7 pm on KSOM.
Complete Interview with AC/GC Head Coach Cody Matthewson
Complete Interview with West Sioux Head Coach Ryan Schwiesow
