First year head football coach Cody Matthewson is hitting the ground running, preparing the next generation of ACGC Charger football both physically and mentally.

At last month’s initial meeting with the students, the Madrid alum stressed the importance of weight room conditioning and multi-sport participation. Just before President’s Day weekend, he introduced himself to a collection of prospective junior high players. As each young Charger walked out the gymnasium door, he personally greeted everyone and made sure to ask if they were planning on hitting the weights that weekend.

Although strength and conditioning are cornerstones to physical athleticism, Matthewson doesn’t want to forget mental stability and academic responsibility. “You can be a very good athlete but if you can’t apply yourself in the classroom, you’re not going to be competing on Friday nights either…If you’re disciplined in the classroom that’s going to correlate to being disciplined on the field at all times.”

The Northwest Missouri State Bearcat alum gave a strong word of advice to athletes who plan on playing this fall. “If it’s important enough to you and the team’s important enough to you, you’re going to put that first and take care of business. If you don’t, at the end of the day, you’re going to be not only hurting yourself, but hurting the team.”

Matthewson will also conduct a Summer Speed and Agility Camp for future Chargers in grades 4-8.

Camp Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXCmvtjvBbz_066FIc_YhDids6ihxij8Xp0OLuNkHboNywIg/viewform