1. Adams Central (9-0)
Week 9: 42-7 W at 3A Woodlan
Week 10 (Sectionals): at 1A Southwood
Congratulations to the Flying Jets on their 10th ACAC championship, and their third in the last five seasons! It was a regular season of dominance for Adams Central, averaging 47 points per game and allowing just 10.6 points on average. The Jets have collected impressive wins versus 2A #8 Eastside (25-21) and 1A #9 South Adams (49-20). Heading into the 1A tournament, Adams Central has a 20.63% chance to win state according to analyst John Harrell, which is the second-highest percentage behind Indianapolis Lutheran’s 63.09% chance to win state. Anxiety will be looming over Adams County heading into November, as we’ll just have to see if this truly is the year for the Flying Jets 2nd state championship.
2. Heritage (6-3)
Week 9: 42-7 W vs 4A Jay County
Week 10 (Sectionals): vs 3A #4 Norwell
After a very up-and-down regular season for the Patriots, Heritage really got the ball rolling and ended the regular season at 6-3 with three straight victories. However, they will begin sectional play facing a 3A giant in the Norwell Knights. Norwell may be coming off a loss to Columbia City, but they have shut down team after team this season. Four teams have managed to get on the scoreboard against the Knights, two have managed to exceed double-digits. To add onto that, only three teams have held Norwell below 40 points. Heritage will have their hands full on Friday, and they will need a game of perfection to keep their season alive.
3. South Adams (7-2)
Week 9: 49-8 W at Southern Wells
Week 10 (Sectionals): vs 1A Fremont
For a fifth straight season, the Starfires have finished the regular season with two losses or less. Likely, South Adams will get through a struggling Fremont team (lost six of their last seven) and will probably have a rematch in the semifinals with Adams Central. A lot is on the line in sectionals for the Starfires. Keeping their season alive, getting revenge, getting bragging rights in Adams County, all that. Can the Starfires get through Sectional 44? We will just have to wait and see.
4. Bluffton (5-4)
Week 9: 28-7 W vs 3A Lakeland
Week 10 (Sectionals): at 2A Blackford
After losing two straight, last week’s dominant win over the NECC’s Lakeland Lakers was huge for morale. The defensive effort was critical to Bluffton’s success last Friday, as the Tigers forced two turnovers. The Tigers will see 1-win Blackford to kick off sectionals. Bluffton should be able to hold off the Bruins, after which they will see either Tipton or Eastern (Greenwood). A tough (but very winnable) sectional awaits Bluffton.
5. Woodlan (4-5)
Week 9: 42-7 L vs 1A #2 Adams Central
Week 10 (Sectionals): vs 3A FW Concordia
A blowout defeat to the ACAC champion Flying Jets didn’t do much good for the Warriors’ morale. However, they have a chance to regain momentum this week in sectionals against the SAC’s Concordia Cadets. It will be interesting to see if the Woodlan defense can stop Eli Mattox. However, it’ll be tough for them regardless if they can beat the Cadets, as they will either face Heritage (a team who beat them by 18 earlier in the season) or #4 Norwell. A tough challenge awaits Woodlan, let’s see if they’re up for the task.
6. Jay County (2-7)
Week 9: 42-7 L at 3A Heritage
Week 10 (Sectionals): vs 4A Western
After starting the season at 2-1, six straight losses have taken a toll on Jay County. They start sectionals against Western, a tough team from the Hoosier Conference who has won five of their last 6. Unless something changes within the next few days, I don’t see Jay County with much of a chance in Sectional 20.
7. Southern Wells (0-9)
Week 9: 49-8 L vs 1A #9 South Adams
Week 10 (Sectionals): vs 1A Northfield
A second straight winless season for Southern Wells has not put smiles on the faces of the Raider faithful. Not confident they can keep up with Northfield. Hopefully, things will change soon in Poneto for the sake of these players.
