Optimism Abounds for Chargers' Football Season

"Our goal is to go one and zero each week," is how ACGC football coach Cody Matthewson answered this observer's question about goals for the upcoming football season. And, of course, if the Chargers do go one and zero each week, it would mean that they would have an undefeated season!

Optimism is the watchword for Charger coaches and players, as the team returns nine offensive starters and eight defensive starters from last year's team team which went 6-3.

"Our expectations this year include being a playoff team when the regular season comes to a close," Matthewson said.

The Chargers will play in one of the eight districts in class 1A, with each district including six teams. The top four teams in each district will qualify for the post season playoffs. The other teams in the same district as ACGC include Des Moines Christian, West Central Valley, Nodaway Valley, Interstate 35, Panorama, and Van Meter. Other than the district finale with last year's state runner up Van Meter, Matthewsen anticipates that all of the district competition will be challenging.

But before the team faces any district opponents, it will encounter Greene County (Jefferson) and Woodward-Granger in non-district games. "Jefferson will be a very good team this year, with a lot of returning players," Matthewson commented. "The Rams have gone seventeen and four over the last two years.

"We have fifteen seniors on our team this year, which gives us a lot of experience on both sides of the ball. In addition to the thirteen returning seniors, first year senior players Miles Kading and Lane Sheeder have increased the senior class number to fifteen. This is my fourth year at ACGC, so these seniors were freshmen when I began coaching here." There are a total of forty eight boys on the roster this year, the largest squad during Matthewson's tenure.

When queried about the Charger offense, Matthewseon indicated that he anticipates to continue to run the wishbone offense, but will run out of other formations as well that will include more passing opportunities.

Assisting Matthewson on the coaching staff are Kurt Matthewson, Taylor Morris, Zach Brandt, Brad Baudler, and Mike Underwood.

"If things go well, we could be seven and zero heading into the Van Meter game, but we will need to go one and zero each week to be in that position," Matthewsen concluded.