Patriots to play Starfires for homecoming

Jay County Patriots

Portland, 2-4 (1-3)

Coach: Tim Millspaugh, sixth year

Conference: Allen County

Last week vs. Woodlan: Jay County’s struggles defensively continued in a 42-21 loss to the Woodlan Warriors, its third consecutive defeat. The Patriots allowed touchdowns on the first four Warrior possessions. Parker Grimes threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.

Season leaders: Passing — Parker Grimes – 53 of 86 for 1,051 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. Rushing — Michael Schlechty – 59 carries for 374 yards and six touchdowns. Receiving — Ryan Schlechty – 17 catches for 401 yards and six touchdowns. Defense — Ryan Schlechty – 62 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three interceptions.

vs. 

South Adams Starfires

Berne, 5-1 (2-1)

Coach: Grant Moser, third year

Conference: Allen County

Last week vs. Adams Central: South Adams trailed by just eight at halftime but Class A No. 3 Adams Central scored 28 points in the third quarter en route to a 49-12 victory. Quarterback James Arnold threw for a touchdown in the second quarter and Alex Gorney had a 34-yard TD run in the fourth.

Season leaders: Passing — James Arnold – 55 of 106 for 879 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Rushing — Christian Summersett – 53 carries for 348 yards and six touchdowns. Receiving — Nick Miller – 15 catches for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Defense — Andre Hughes – 52 tackles and seven tackles for loss.

Last season: Freshman quarterback James Arnold threw for more than 250 yards and three touchdowns and Joe Stuber had three scores on the ground as South Adams defeated Jay County 45-28 in Berne. The Starfire defense forced five Jay County turnovers. Stuber finished with 151 yards on the ground. Cole Stigleman led Jay County’s rushing attack with 110 yards and a touchdown. Michael Schlechty also had two scores.

Game notes: This is the 10th meeting all time between Jay County and South Adams, and the Patriots have a 6-3 edge in the series, including wins in four of the last six games ... The Starfires, who are 5-1 for the second time in as many years and the third time since 2011, dipped one spot to No. 8 in the Associated Press Class A poll after losing to now No. 2 Adams Central a week ago ... This is the second of three straight home games for Jay County, which also concludes the homestand against Thurgood Marshall (Dayton, Ohio) on Oct. 5 ... South Adams scores 23.5 points per game and allows 17.3 points on defense. Jay County, meanwhile, averages 29.7 points on offense and surrenders 35.5 points per game defensively ... John Harrell’s website predicts South Adams to win, 31-28, while Calpreps.com has the Starfires as seven-point favorites.