A 

West Sioux – 24 vs ACGC – 14

Saint Ansgar – 49 vs North Linn – 21

MMCRU – 42 vs Woodbury Central – 6

Wapsie Valley – 22 vs Lynnville-Sully – 16

1A 

South Hardin – 27 vs Treynor – 14

West Lyon – 57 vs Underwood – 22

Regina Catholic – 49 vs Pleasantville – 7

Grundy Center – 21 vs Beckman Catholic – 0

2A 

Kuemper Catholic – 43 vs Cherokee – 26

Van Meter – 28 vs Mid-Prairie – 21

Wilton – 21 vs PCM –  17

Osage – 12 vs Alburnett – 7

3A 

Bishop Heelan Catholic – 35 vs Sioux Center – 14

Nevada – 24 vs Clear Lake – 14

Solon – 21 vs Winterset – 6

Wahlert Catholic – 27 vs West Delaware – 6

4A

Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 55 vs North Polk – 15

Xavier – 45 vs ADM – 7

Newton – 42 vs Gilbert – 14

Pella – 7 vs Decorah – 6

5A 

Waukee Northwest – 48 vs Sioux City East – 34

Valley – 28 vs Johnston – 21

Dowling Catholic – 35 vs Iowa City West – 0

Iowa City Liberty – 31 vs Southeast Polk – 28

The ACGC Chargers were unable to get past the quarterfinal as they fell 24-14 to the West Sioux Falcons on Friday night. Although the Chargers had an electric start with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Joe Crawford, they couldn’t find that explosiveness on offense. The Charger offense had to earn every yard, and in the process made a few mistakes that stunted their rhythm. The defense played well and kept them in the game, but the Falcons made the big plays at the big moments. Unfortunately for ACGC, the lack of sustained offense proved to be the difference as they failed to reach the semis for the fourth time in the last five years.

The Chargers could not have dreamed of a better start to the game. On the opening kickoff, the Falcons made the mistake of kicking the ball to Crawford. Fielding it at the two yard line, Crawford started up the middle of the field and eventually found open grass down the sideline to give ACGC an early touchdown lead. However, it didn’t take West Sioux long to find a response. The Falcons drove the field efficiently on the back of running back Braylon Lopez. However, it was the pass game that would register the first score for West Sioux. From 20 yards out, Blake Wiggins dumped it off to Gavin Gerritson, who found the end zone. Despite giving up the touchdown, the Chargers blocked the extra point to keep a lead intact.

Back with the ball, the Chargers struggled to move the ball, as they did at times throughout the night. They also struggled with procedural penalties, particularly false starts that stunted some of their momentum. ACGC’s second drive stalled out, and they were forced to punt, opening the door for the Falcons to take the lead. Despite having one of the best passing offenses in Class-A, West Sioux leaned on Lopez and the run for most of the night. They featured him again on the second drive as he scored from seven yards out to give the Falcons their first lead of the night. However, this time, the Chargers had a response. Going on a long, extended drive capped off by 7-yard touchdown run from Crawford to retake the lead. The drives before the half could’ve been big for both teams but neither of them capitalized on the opportunity as the score remained 14-13 ACGC into the half.

West Sioux’s opening drive set the tone for the second half. Again, relying on Lopez, they moved down the field. However, once in goal-to-go, the Chargers made a stand. Keeping the offense on the field, West Sioux tried to throw the ball to the flat, but it fell incomplete.  However, the Chargers took a critical penalty and were called for roughing the passer, giving the Falcons new life. It didn’t take long for them to take advantage as Lopez scored from three yards out. It was the only touchdown scored in the second half. In a bit of trickery, Garritson threw to the goal line and completed a pass to convert the two-point conversion.

The ACGC offense struggled to consistently move the ball the rest of the way. Although they did pick up three or four yards a play, eventually the drives stalled out. They fought hard the entire game, but West Sioux stayed true to their assignments. ACGC’s defense kept them in the game, keeping the Falcons off the board. However late in the game, Lopez popped off a massive run that all but sealed the deal. Although the Chargers made another stand and forced a field goal, it left little time for the Chargers to work with. Although they moved downfield, time ran out in the game and the season. Head coach Cody Matthewson credited West Sioux’s discipline, but ultimately felt like they left some things on the table.

It is a tough loss to swallow for the Chargers. However, Matthewson appreciated all the work his team and especially his senior class had poured into the program.

Iowa hosts sixth ranked Oregon in a key Big Ten clash on Saturday. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says to have any chance the Hawkeyes must limit mistakes.

Ferentz says there is little margin for error against teams like Oregon.

Ferentz feels the Hawkeyes have made a lot of progress as they begin the stretch run.

Iowa State takes a four game losing streak on the road to TCU. After being hurt by the quarterback run last week in a loss to Arizona State the Cyclones must contain a high octane Horned Frog passing attack led by quarterback Josh Hoover.

That’s Cyclone coach Matt Campbell who talks about Hoover’s strengths as a quarterback.

Campbell says TCU likes to spread the field to run the ball.

5A: Waukee Northwest – 3 vs Ankeny Centennial – 0

4A: North Scott – 3 vs Sioux Center – 1

3A: Assumption – 3 vs Humboldt – 0

2A: Denver – 3 vs Hinton – 2

1A: St. Ansgar – 3 vs Janesville – 1

Audubon – 26 vs Iowa Valley – 19

Woodbine – 50 vs Fremont-Mills – 12

Gladbrook-Reinbeck – 54 vs Edgewood-Colesburg – 18

Bishop Garrigan – 51 vs Don Bosco – 21

For the third year in a row and fourth in the last five years, the ACGC Chargers will compete in a quarter final. This year, the Chargers will face the 9-1 West Sioux Falcons as they look to advance past the quarterfinal for the first time in school history. The Chargers are coming tow dominate defensive performances. In round one, the swept aside Logan-Magnolia 33-7 while round two saw them knock off a familiar foe in Mount Ayr 21-7. Head coach Cody Matthewson praised the effort of his team and likes where their game is at.

However, this Friday they will be looking to get over the proverbial hump. Last year they fell at this point to the eventual state champions in Tri-Center, while in 2023 the lost by a sing touchdown to Madrid. Matthewson believes his group is extremely motivated but also has the experience in these types of situations.

The staple of this ACGC team is the run game. Running the flexbone offense, the Charger have had near unparalleled success. This season the group has amassed 3,364 rushing yards which leads class A. They have two 1,000-yard rushers in Joe Crawford (1,180) and Brexton Schnieder (1,010), while also having 5 others with 100 or more yards on the season.  Their 50 rushing touchdowns rank second only behind St. Ansgar while their 54 total touchdowns ranks fourth. Matthewson says everything starts up front and gives a lot of credit to his offensive line.

Under center for the Chargers is senior Tommy Skram. Although different from quarterbacks in previous years, Matthewson said his ability to read and distribute has been a key to their success.

To get to the dome the Chargers will face a touch test in West Sioux. They bring a balanced offense to the table that currently tied for first in passing touchdowns, ranks fourth in passing yards. Although absent from the quarterfinals in the last two years, they mad the previous eight.  Matthewson knows that both teams will be highly motivated and expects the best out of the Falcons.

Discipline and execution are the words being thrown around as the biggest keys in this game.

You can catch all the action on KJAN with pregame coverage beginning at 6 pm with kickoff from Guthrie Center scheduled for 7 pm.

The 16th ranked Iowa State men improved to 2-0. Joshua Jefferson led six Cyclones in double figures with 20 points in a 102-62 win over Grambling. The Cyclones shot better than 54 percent for the game.

That’s coach T.J. Otzelberger. ISU won the battle on the glass 40-22 and had 15 offensive rebounds.

The UNI men hit 14 three pointers and rolled to an 86-57 win over Cal State Northridge in the McLeod Center. On defense, the Panthers limited the Matadors to just over 32 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers.

That’s UNI coach Ben Jacobson. The Panthers shot better than 50 percent for the game and had 24 assists.

Leon Bond led the Panthers with 23 points.