Football
ACAC Power Poll: Week 8
1. Adams Central (8-0)
Week 8: 56-8 W vs 2A Bluffton
Week 9: at 3A Woodlan
Adams Central got their 6th win of the season by 30+ points versus the Tigers last Friday. This team is just so good. You can just tell in every game they have played this season Adams Central is miles ahead of the rest of the ACAC. Woodlan should not pose a threat to the Flying Jets’ bid at their first undefeated regular season since 2018.
2. Heritage (5-3)
Week 8: 69-20 W vs 1A Southern Wells
Week 9: vs 4A Jay County
Two solid wins in the last two weeks for the Patriots have them at #2 in the power rankings, essentially the best-of-the-rest since Adams Central is a different beast in the ACAC. The double-digit victory against a tough Bluffton team on the road, and now a 49-point win versus the Raiders. However, it has to be noted that the Patriots gave up 230 rushing yards against Southern Wells. The defense is what has been lacking all season for Heritage, and although the defense has looked better in recent games, there is still a lot that needs to be cleaned up before sectionals. We will just have to see how they look against Jay County on Friday.
3. South Adams (6-2)
Week 8: 38-32 W vs 3A Woodlan
Week 9: at 1A Southern Wells
While it was not pretty, South Adams just barely avoided the upset. Because of how much their defense struggled, the Starfires took a step down the ladder in the power rankings. The Warriors front line diced up the South Adams defensive line all game long, with 329 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. If the Starfires want to have a shot in sectionals, defensive performances like this just can not happen. This week they face Southern Wells, which gives them a great opportunity to do some fine tuning before postseason play.
4. Bluffton (4-4)
Week 8: 56-8 L vs 1A #2 Adams Central
Week 9: vs 3A Lakeland
Two straight ugly losses for the Tigers. It has been a rough conclusion to the season for Bluffton, as last week Adams Central flat out dominated at every facet of the game. The losses to Heritage and Adams Central were expected, but it felt like Bluffton performed below those expectations. They have a chance at redemption against Lakeland to end the season on a positive, but the Lakers are a team that could jump out and beat Bluffton if underprepared for.
5. Woodlan (4-4)
Week 8: 38-32 L vs 1A #9 South Adams
Week 9: vs 1A #2 Adams Central
Woodlan almost got the upset, but South Adams barely squeezed by. Defensively Woodlan looked great, but the passing game on offense was shut down. Senior quarterback Jacob Snyder has just 112 yards in the air, and that lack of production proved to be the difference in last week’s game. This week will be a rough end to the season, as undefeated juggernaut Adams Central comes up to East Allen. We will see if Woodlan can get anything going against the Jets. Keeping this game close is the goal.
6. Jay County (2-6)
Week 8: 29-21 L vs 2A Lapel
Week 9: at 3A Heritage
A brutal loss for Jay County last week. The Patriots led 13-0 at half, but gave up 29 second-half points while they only scored one touchdown in that time. A fifth straight loss for the Patriots, and the Heritage Patriots will be very tough to beat. It has been a difficult second half of the season for Heritage, and they have got to find a way to close out games before their sectional matchup with Concordia.
7. Southern Wells (0-8)
Week 8: 69-20 L at 3A Heritage
Week 9: at 1A #9 South Adams
Well, Southern Wells did not get the sectional draw they needed. In the first round they will face 4-4 Northfield, who already has a win against an ACAC opponent (21-0 versus Bluffton in week 1). I do not see a win coming out of these last two games for Southern Wells. A tough season again for the Raiders. We will see how this week’s bout with the Starfires goes.
