GUTHRIE CENTER — AC/GC rushed for 243 yards and eight touchdowns while holding visiting Panorama to a total loss of 39 yards on the ground in a 70-0 landslide Friday.
The host Chargers, who improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in Class 1A District 7 play, also received 42-yard interception return for a touchdown from Charlie Crawford after he had returned the opening kick off of the second half 92 yards for a score. AC/GC will travel to Van Meter (7-0, 4-0) this Friday for an anticipated matchup that will determine the district champion.
Panorama saw their record fall to 1-6, 0-4 with the loss. They will host Nodaway Valley (3-4, 1-3) this week in the final regular season scheduled game.
Under the new playoff format instituted this year, Class 1A teams that do not qualify for the postseason can schedule a week nine (Oct. 22) game against another non-qualifier (of any class). Panorama is yet to announce their plans for the Oct. 22 opening.
The hosts took charge of the contest in the first quarter by opening a 19-0 lead on TD runs of nine, six and five yards. A safety early in the second frame moved the score to 21-0, with scoring bursts of 23, 13 and four yards pushing the halftime advantage to 42-0.
Crawford returned the kick off to start the second half for a 49-0 lead, with two short TD runs and Crawford’s pick 6 sealing the scoring. Hitting 8-of-9 PAT kicks and rushing for 72 yards and one score on six carries helped cap an impressive evening for Crawford.
Gavin Cornelison scored six times and gained 114 yards on 15 carries, with Cayden Jensen (3-67, 1 TD) also helping lead the ground assault.
Quarterback Brock Littler was 2-of-5 for 18 yards through the air for the hosts.
Panorama QB Cayden VanMeer was 7-of-18 for 73 passing yards for the Panthers, with Austin Block misfiring on his three attempts. VanMeer was intercepted three times, with AC/GC recovering three fumbles.
Klayton Bremer (3-60), Block (2-11) and Gavin Godfrey (2-2) all had receptions for the visitors, with Block (8-22) the only Panther with positive rushing yardage.
Bremer led the defense with five stops, with Godfrey making 4-1/2 tackles and Cooper Andersen four.
