It was a balmy night in Persia (closest town to Tri-Center High School, not the Persia of ancient Iran). A perfect night to enjoy a high school football game. Unfortunately, it wasn't a very enjoyable night for the ACGC Chargers who found themselves on the wrong end of a 41-0 score versus the Tr-Center Trojans on Friday.

With five players in street clothes, including two starting linemen, the Chargers were never able to get on track. Partly to blame was the fact that they were guilty of numerous penalties that either stymied their own offense or aided the Trojan offense. This observer counted four facemark penalties, an unsportsmanlike conduct violation, three holding penalties, and several of the illegal motion and offsides variety. The violations did not affect the outcome of the game, but it didn't help the Charger's cause or, one would think, the team's confidence. The injuries certainly didn't help either.

Neither team was able to move the ball initially. On its second possession Charger punter Logan Brincks hit a booming 67 yard punt that rolled into the end zone for a touchback. Tri-Center wasted no time in scoring, as running back Ben Sorenson dashed for an 80 yard score. The PAT made the score 7-0.

On its net possession the Chargers were faced with fourth down and 1 on their own 31 yard line. Electing to go for the first down, ACGC was thrown for a loss. The Trojans again scored quickly, as Kaden Karagianis scored on a 23 yard run.

ACGC was then limited to a three an out and Bricks hit another good put of 58 yards, with Tri-Center pinned deep at its own three yard line. The Trojans gained one first down, but was then forced to punt. Quentin Younker broke trough the line to block the punt and recover the pigskin as well. Three running plays by the Chargers made it fourth and two at the Trojan 3 yard line. A score at this point would make the score 14-7, but a Charger illegal motion penalty made it fourth and eight from the 9 yard line. A field goal attempt failed and the Chargers came away empty handed.

Tri-Center then took the ball 80 yards in eleven plays for a score making it a 21-0 game. After ACGC was unable to move the ball, Tri-Center again scored on a 28 yard pass from Byson Freeburg to Trevor Nelson, making the score 28-0.

ACGC then put together its best drive of the night, starting on its own 37 yard line with 3:37 to go in the half. Three rushes by Brincks and Ben Kingery netted 16 yards, followed by Bryce Littler passes to Brincks and Will Byers that took the ball to the Trojan 28 yard line. On a third down play Littler hit Caden Warden for a 34 yard gain and a first down on the Tri-Center 13 yard line. With time running out, Littler dropped to pass but was sacked for a loss, bringing the half to a close.

A 28 yard kickoff return by Warden to start the second half gave the Chargers good field position at their own 42 yard line. With Kingery and Brincks rushing the ball and with the aid of two Tri-Center penalties, ACGC moved the ball to Trojan 25 yard line where three incomplete passes ended the drive.

After a Charger fumble on its next possession that was recovered by the Trojans, Tri-Center scored four plays later to make the score 35-0. Following the kickoff, ACGC failed to move the ball and was forced to punt. The Trojans put together a 72 yard drive and scored with 8:09 remaining in the game. The PAT failed, making the score 41-0.

The Chargers began their final possession of their own 35 yard line and after a sack, moved the ball to the 48 before a holding penalty and three incomplete passes ended the drive. The Trojans returned the Charger punt 78 yards to the ACGC 7 yard line. After two running plays that netted four yards, the Trojan quarterback mercifully took a knee to end the game at 41-0. Coach McDermott offered these comments on the game. "The boys worked hard and tried to play through a lot of adversity, some of it brought on by themselves. We need to be more consistent and not take off any plays either mentally or physically in order for us to compete. Everyone will work harder and smarter this week as we prepare for our Homecoming game with Treynor."

The loss drops the Charger record to 1-4 on the season and 0-3 in district play. Homecoming often brings out the best in a team, so there is an opportunity on Friday versus Treynor. Kick off is scheduled got 7 PM.

Line Score:

ACGC 0 0 0 0-0

Tri-C. 14 14 7 6-41

Statistics:

Rushing: Logan Brincks, (12 attempts/ 23 yards); Ben Kingery (11/ 29); Bryce Littler (1/3); Caden Wardyn (2/10)

Passing: Bryce Littler, 17 attempts/ 7 completions/ 70 yards

Receiving: Will Byars, (3 receptions /29 yards); Ben Kingery (2/7); Caden Wardyn (2/34)

Punting: Logan Brincks, 5 for 44.6 average Kick Offs: Quentin Younker, 1 for 32 yards

Kick Off Returns: Owen Hansen (1 return/16 yards); Caden Warden (3/85); Avery Wheatley (1/1)

Tackles: Unavailable at time of publishing