JC opens at home

INDIANAPOLIS — For the third consecutive year, the Patriots open the postseason at home.

The Starfires would likely have to face three ranked opponents en route to the sectional championship.

In the IHSAA football sectional pairings show Sunday, the Jay County High School football team received an opening-round matchup with the Leo Lions at home.

The first round of the Class 4A Sectional 20 tournament begins Oct. 19, with the Patriots (3-5) hosting former Allen County Athletic Conference rival Lions (5-3). The winner advances to the semifinal Oct. 26 against either the top-ranked Bishop Dwenger Saints (7-1), who are three years removed from the state championship, or the Logansport Berries (3-5).

The top half of the bracket pits the Wayne Generals (6-2) at the South Side Archers (0-8) and the New Haven Bulldogs (4-4) at the Columbia City Eagles (4-4).

South Adams (6-2) opens Class A Sectional 43 play on the road at third-ranked Churubusco Eagles (7-1). The winner advances to the sectional semifinal against either the No. 2 Adams Central Flying Jets (8-0) or the Northfield Norsemen (4-4).

The top half of the bracket features the Eastside Blazers (5-3) at the fourth-ranked Southwood Knights (8-0) and the Fremont Eagles (1-7) hosting the Southern Wells Raiders (1-7).

Sectional championship games are slated for Nov. 2.