Stock keeps on rising in Bluffton and Heritage, as the two continue to knock on the door of Adams Central. Can the Flying Jets retain their spot at #1 through the season? Or is this the year a new face takes the top spot in the ACAC?
1. Adams Central (4-0)
Previous Ranking: #1
Week 4: 42-7 W at 4A Jay County
Week 5: vs 3A Heritage
Well, Adams Central took care of business pretty well against the Patriots of Jay County. Jack Hamilton threw three balls, completed three of them, and totaled 276 yards and two scores with those three balls. Not to mention 64 yards and a pair of scores he tacked on through the run. The Jets keep flying through clear skies.
2. Bluffton (4-0)
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 4: 28-0 W at 3A Woodlan
Week 5: at 4A Jay County
Tucker Jenkins was the utility tool Bluffton needed against Woodlan. On the ground, Jenkins went for 107 yards and two touchdowns. In the air, he caught 3 passes for 61 yards and another score. The offense stepped up, the defense stepped up with a shutout, and everything’s working well in Bluffton.
3. Heritage (4-0)
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 4: 34-14 W at 1A #11 South Adams
Week 5: at 1A #2 Adams Central
Another brilliant game by Kobe Meyer against a tough South Adams squad. Meyer threw for 119 yards and three scores and ran for 162 yards with two more scores. However, a couple of problems arose. First, the Patriots were called for 13 penalties, totaling 97 penalty yards. Second, Meyer threw two untimely interceptions in the process of the win. With a big game against Adams Central this week, the Patriots will need to play a much cleaner game.
4. South Adams (2-2)
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 4: 34-14 L vs 3A Heritage
Week 5: at 1A Monroe Central
Despite gaining 22 first downs, South Adams’s offense was too slow to score. Senior Owen Wanner threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns but was out-dueled by Kobe Meyer’s QB play in this one. The Starfires are missing the fire they’ve had in recent years.
5. Jay County (3-1)
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 4: 42-7 L vs 1A #2 Adams Central
Week 5: vs 2A #5 Bluffton
Adams Central was flying all over the field against Jay County, and the Patriots couldn’t keep up. Another challenge awaits Jay County in the red-hot Bluffton Tigers, but they should feel more prepared than before the AC game.
6. Woodlan (1-3)
Previous Ranking: #6
Week 4: 28-0 L vs 2A #5 Bluffton
Week 5: at 1A Southern Wells
A second straight shutout defeat is not something Woodlan has been accustomed to these last couple of years, but it’s been a challenging start to the year for the Warriors. A chance to rebound awaits them against Southern Wells on Friday night.
7. Southern Wells (1-3)
Previous Ranking: #7
Week 4: 14-6 L vs 1A Wes-Del
Week 5: vs 3A Woodlan
Southern Wells was able to score early in the game, but couldn’t do anything on offense after the first quarter. Bryar Gearheart corralled 105 all-purpose yards in the loss and continues to be a bright spot in this Raiders’ squad.
