In a game filled with about everything you could imagine from onside kicks, trick plays, to turnovers and more; the ACGC Football team was able to escape Riverside with a 50-42 win over the Bulldogs. The contest was filled with explosive plays, turnovers, and lots of touchdowns. However, in a game filled with points it was the ACGC defense that came through with the game on the line.

For a game that finished with a combined 92 points, the first quarter was more of what was expected of two run heavy offenses: a controlled run attack. Receiving the ball to start the game, ACGC came out in the wishbone and went on a long-sustained drive (which included two fourth down conversions) capped off by a 17-yard Michael Fuller touchdown run to open the scoring.  Riverside responded in much the same way with the exception of an explosive 59-yard touchdown run from star back Jaxon Gordon.

Both offenses seemed to stall late in the first quarter and early into the second. ACGC lost two fumbles, but Riverside was unable to capitalize on either of them as they were forced to punt both times. At 4:59 of the second quarter the Chargers got back on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run from Fuller. Then Chaos ensued.

In the next 3:35 there would be four touchdowns including a kickoff return, an onside kick recovery, and two lead changes. Set up by an explosive Gordon run, Landyn Schoenrock would start things off with a passing touchdown to Davis Bramman on a 5-yard slant to tie the game at fourteen. 48 seconds later ACGC would respond with their first big play. On 41-yard keeper, quarterback Jathan South retook the lead. On the ensuing kickoff Cole Jeppesen received, then reversed it to Gordon who ran 75-yards down the field for the score. Taking an advantage of some defensive miscommunication, the bulldogs went for two and were successful taking their first lead of the ball game.

Up 22-21 with three minutes left to go in the half, one would probably not suspect any trickery. Well one would be wrong as Riverside head coach Darrell Frain continued with the creativity. With 3:13 left to go in the half Riverside recovered an onside kick that would eventually lead to another Jeppesen touchdown run and a 29-21 lead that they would take into the half.

With the Bulldogs set to receive the second half kickoff, it was crucial that the Charger defense find a way to stop Gordon and the Riverside offense. However, ACGC responded with some trickery of their own. In what turned out to be completely unintentional, the Chargers recovered the opening kickoff. Fuller would cap off the ensuing drive with his third touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie the game.  The game continued to go back and forth with Gordon scoring his third touchdown of the game on a 36-yard run. This was quickly followed by South’s second touchdown to tie the game at 36.

Tied heading into the fourth quarter ACGC flipped the script. They held the Riverside offense and was able to take the lead for the first time since the second quarter. South would add his third touchdown run of the game, followed by Fuller’s fourth to give the Chargers a 50-36 lead. Needing a response with 5:54 remaining, Schoenrock and Jett Rose connected on a 59-yard catch and run to make it a one-score game. Adding to the drama, the PAT was blocked keeping the Riverside deficit at eight.

After recovering the ensuing onside kick, ACGC seemingly had the game in hand. Needing a pair of first downs to clinch the game; something they had done with ease for most game. However, it was Riverside’s defense that gave the Bulldogs a chance when they forced their third fumble of the game. In ACGC territory it felt like a game destined for overtime. Yet the Charger defense came through when it mattered most. On 4th-and-1 and Gordon taking the direct snap the ACGC defense were able to meet him at the line of scrimmage, turning the ball over on downs, and effectively ending the game.

Head coach Cody Matthewson credited his player’s next man up mentality along with some adjustments for being able to come through in a big moment.

Matthewson was very pleased with how South, Fuller, and the entire offense performed.

As with every good team, Matthewson knows that there are always improvements to be made week to week. Likely the most important: protecting the football.

With the Win, ACGC moves to 5-0 on the season and will visit 2-3 IKM-Manning next week.