For a third straight year, it will be the Flying Jetrs of Adams Central at the top of the ACAC, holding a 5-0 record in conference play and a guaranteed tiebreaker over Heritage (4-1 with their only loss to AC). Who knows? Maybe this is the year Adams Central doesn’t just win a conference title. And not just a sectional title. And not just a regional title. Semi-state? Not just that either…
1. Adams Central (8-0, 5-0 ACAC)
Previous Ranking: #1
Week 8: 24-0 W at 2A #6 Bluffton
Week 9: vs 3A Woodlan
For most teams, going on the road and winning a shutout against a team ranked in the class above them is pretty remarkable. For Adams Central, it’s about par for the course. With one game to go, the Flying Jets have pitched three shoutouts and only given up double-digit points once in a 54-10 win over Blackhawk. Who in 1A can stop this team? Lutheran might be the only answer, but the Saints looked pretty rocky in Friday’s 28-9 lackluster win over a six-loss Speedway squad. Plus, Adams Central has already lost to them once in the last 365 days. As the old saying goes: hard to beat a team twice.
2. Heritage (7-1, 4-1 ACAC)
Previous Ranking: #2
Week 8: 61-7 W at 1A Southern Wells
Week 9: at 4A Jay County
With a balanced attack on the ground, Heritage had four players with 40+ rushing yards, a total of 241 yards on the ground, and 5 rushing touchdowns. Some impressive stuff to score north of 60 points primarily through the ground.
3. Bluffton (6-2, 4-2 ACAC)
Previous Ranking: #3
Week 8: 24-0 L vs 1A #2 Adams Central
Week 9: at 3A Lakeland
Bluffton faced a brick wall, and a home-field advantage didn’t do much to change the outcome. However, give Bluffton credit for keeping this one within ten points heading into the fourth quarter. Next up: a trip to LaGrange to take on the 6-2 Lakeland Lakers–a squad having their best season in ten years.
4. South Adams (5-3, 2-3 ACAC)
Previous Ranking: #4
Week 8: 48-20 W at 3A Woodlan
Week 9: vs 1A Southern Wells
Once again, Colton Bollenbacher put the team on his back with a phenomenal 221 rushing yards off 30 carries, complete with four touchdowns to elevate the Starfires past a scrappy Woodlan squad. It’s just what the doctor ordered for South Adams’ last regular season road game.
5. Jay County (4-4, 2-3 ACAC)
Previous Ranking: #5
Week 8: 28-7 L at 2A Lapel
Week 9: vs 3A Heritage
Jay County got swept up through the air, as Lapel’s Devin Craig threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns off an 80% completion performance. With Kobe Meyer and the Heritage Patriots next up, Jay County better be more prepared for the passing game this time around.
6. Woodlan (2-6, 1-4 ACAC)
Previous Ranking: #6
Week 8: 48-20 L vs 1A #12 South Adams
Week 9: at 1A #2 Adams Central
Credit to Woodlan’s second half of play, as the Warriors put up 20 points in those last two quarters. However, they were shut out through the entirety of the first half, and that basically defined the game the rest of the way. They will need to play a full four quarters to stay in the game this week against Adams Central.
7. Southern Wells (1-7, 0-5 ACAC)
Previous Ranking: #7
Week 8: 61-7 L vs 3A Heritage
Week 9: at 1A #12 South Adams
Kobe Meyer led the Heritage offense to an unstoppable onslaught of the Raiders’ entire defense. However, Heritage is the type of team you want to face to get prepared for lighter competition in sectional pay as a 1A squad. With South Adams next for the regular season finale. Southern Wells will get another preparation clash against a great Starfires squad. I have faith in Southern Wells to go past the first round of sectionals.
