By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The ACGC boys basketball team (9-11) lost to Madrid (17-4) at home on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Madrid jumped out to a 10-point lead by the end of the first and never looked back. William Skram led the Chargers in scoring with 16 points, hitting four three-pointers. Thomas Skram with 11 points, and Preston Kent with 10, joined him in double figures. Jonny Kading, Preston Kent and Joe Fagan jointly led in rebounds with four apiece. Kading and William Skram led in assists with three.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The ACGC girls basketball team (17-4) secured another conference win at home over Madrid (10-11) on Tuesday, Feb. 10. ACGC jumped out to a 20-3 lead by the end of the first quarter and only extended that lead from then on. Camdyn Richter led the team in scoring with 21 points. Stella Largent joined her in double figure scoring with 15 and was just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds. Largent also led in assists with two. Largent, Kailee and Karli Kautzky all had three steals each.

That concludes the regular season for ACGC. The Chargers face WCAC foe and nearby rival Panorama (7-14) in round one of the Class 2A Region 2 playoffs at home on Tuesday, Feb. 17. ACGC has won four in a row against the Panthers, including a 43-11 blowout in January. The teams had a much closer game in December, also in ACGC’s favor, 45-35.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The ACGC boys wrestling team will battle for a trip to the state tournament on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Colfax-Mingo in the IHSAA 1A District 2 meet. ACGC’s Ryder Cline, who has had a successful junior year campaign, reached 100 career wins just before the district meet. The top two wrestlers from each weight class will qualify for the state tournament on Feb 18-21 at Casey’s Center in Des Moines. Other teams at the competition will be Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Columbus Catholic, East Marshall/Meskwaki, English Valleys, HLV, Victor, Lynnville-Sully, Montezuma, Moravia and North Mahaska.

For the matthewson story: Cody Matthewson addresses his team after its Round 1 win over Logan-Magnolia last season. Photo by Mark Reno

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

ACGC’s head football coach Cody Matthewson announced on his social media yesterday that he is leaving after eight years with the district. In the post, Matthewson thanked his players, parents, staff and the entire ACGC community for their support during his several years representing the black and gold Chargers.

“While I am moving on, a piece of me will always belong here. I will forever be grateful for the memories, the lessons, and the people who made these years so special. Once a Charger, always a Charger,” Matthewson said.

Matthewson had recently been named the principal of ACGC High School. He stepped down as the boys track and field coach after several years of success with the program. During his time as the track and field coach, Matthewson’s teams won three State Qualifying Meet Championships and placed in the top 10 of the State Championship three times, including runner-up in 2025. His teams were WCAC champions twice, qualified 48 athletes, had 22 medalists and four state champions, and set two state meet records.

Matthewson led the ACGC football team to great success as well, especially in the last three seasons. ACGC made five playoff appearances in a row starting in 2021. The Chargers were 46-8 in those five seasons and 30-3 in the last three. ACGC was one win from reaching the state playoffs at the UNI dome four out of those five years, reaching the quarterfinals in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Since 2023, the Chargers won three straight district championships. Since 2016, the Chargers have had 48 First Team All-District selections, 29 All-State selections, 11 Academic All-State Selections, and two players selected to the Shrine Bowl. Matthewson himself was selected to the coaching staff of the 2026 Shrine Bowl.

The coach leaves an undeniable impression on both programs he coached and the district as a whole.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The Panorama Esports Team (2-5) lost its Overwatch 2 game against Westwood (6-1) on Monday, Feb. 9. Kasey Michaelson led the team in kills with 16 and damage with 11,353. Xavier Clark led the team in assists with six. Pluton Dugan was helping his teammates, leading in healing with 7,135.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The Panorama boys basketball team (1-19) lost its home game to Des Moines Christian (13-5) on Friday, Feb. 6. Panorama was only down six points at the end of the first quarter, 16-10, but the Lions stepped on the gas in the next three. Jaxson Stauffer led the team in points, with six, and rebounds, with three. Brayden Galvan led in assists with three.

The Panthers play again tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Ogden (4-16). Ogden has won the three games against Panorama, including a 75-64 result earlier this season.

Photos by Betty Cooper

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