The ACGC football team matched up against the Woodward Academy Knights on the gridiron last night. Both teams entered with lengthy losing streaks and unfortunately for the Chargers, theirs continued after falling to the Knights 13-8. Woodward Academy, who held the longest active losing streak in Class 1A prior to Friday night’s heroics, ended their three-year skid.

Defensive efficiency and miscues were the story in the first half, as the only points came off an ACGC safety late in the first quarter. The Knights had a chance to take the lead late in the second quarter. Senior running back Tiran Lynch executed a fake punt in Knights territory, taking the ball into the Charger side of the field. Lynch made it to the end zone a few plays later, but it was called back due to a block-in-the-back penalty.

ACGC had a couple of highlight plays themselves, including the first interception of the season for senior Easton Benson. Junior quarterback Bryce Littler also had an impressive pass breakup during the final defensive possession of the half. The Charger offense got the ball inside the Knights’ five on their second offensive possession of the first half, but senior running back Ben Kingery’s dive was just inches short on a fourth and short.

The Knights opened up the scoring in the second half with a 24-yard receiving touchdown by senior Maurice Myles. On their next possession, the Knights’ Lynch sustained a head injury after a tough hit from ACGC’s Kolbe Jacoby. There was no penalty on the play, but Lynch was carted off the field. On the next play, junior Marcello Della extended the lead for the Knights on a 20-yard rushing touchdown near the end of the third quarter.

Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Woodward Academy in the fourth helped propel the Chargers to their first touchdown of the season as Littler dove into the end zone on a quarterback sneak inside the one. The Chargers had a chance to take the lead with 90 seconds remaining, but a bobbled snap on fourth and short sealed the deal for the gold and black. ACGC falls to 0-2 on the season and will return home next Friday to face the Noadaway Valley Wolverines.