Clarinda came into Guthrie Center and gave AC/GC all they could handle Friday night.

Both teams have shown great improvement from last season. The matchup between 4-1 teams featured two teams who ended last season with just three wins a piece.

Both offensives moved the ball efficiently in the first half, but struggled turning yards into points. That is until the Charger offense caught Clarinda sleeping. With less than two minutes left to go in the second quarter, Bryce Littler aired out a 60 yard pass to Cayden Jensen. The next play Gavin Cornelison plowed through each layer of the Cardinal defense to find pay dirt from 20 yards outs. In the second half, Littler was also able to add a slight cushion adding another score on a one yard quarterback sneak to extend the Charger lead to 14-0 entering the fourth quarter.

Clarinda was not willing to lie down. Early in the fourth quarter, Wyatt Schmitt found the endzone on a six yard quarterback keeper to climb back within striking distance. AC/GC took over with just under seven minutes to go in the contest and did not give the Cardinals another chance. The Chargers were able to run out to clock to beat Clarinda 14-7. Cornelison had a monster night with 175 rushing yards and one touchdown.

The Chargers improve to 5-1 on the season. AC/GC will stay in Guthrie County next week when they head to Stuart to play West Central Valley.

You can hear the game on KKRF-2 for free on RaccoonValleyRadio.com with the New Way Ford New Way Auto Pre-Game Show starting at 6 p.m. with kickoff to follow at 7 p.m.