Patriots open season Friday vs. Norwell

Jay County Patriots

Portland, 0-0

Coach: Tim Millspaugh, seventh year

Conference: Allen County

Last season: Jay County finished 4-6 with a 35-21 loss to Leo in the sectional quarterfinal. The year started with a last-second, 22-21 win against Blackford, and later included a 15-14 win over South Adams. The Patriots suffered a couple heartbreaking losses too, 27-22 week two to?Huntington North and 63-62 to Bluffton in week five.

Returning leaders: Passing — Quinn Faulkner – 0-for-2. Rushing — Bailey Cox – 30 carries for 150 yards. Receiving — Cox – two catches for 24 yards. Defense — Cox – 56 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.



vs.



Norwell Knights

Ossian, 0-0

Coach: Josh Gerber, fourth year

Conference: Northeast 8

Last season: Relying mostly on sophomores, Norwell limped to a 2-8 record, including a six-game losing streak to end the season. The Knights scored 14 points or less in six games, three of which were a touchdown or less. It was the fourth straight losing season for Norwell after winning the sectional championship in 2014.

Returning leaders: Stats were not available.



Last meeting: Future University of Saint Francis standout linebacker Piercen Harnish had five total touchdowns as Norwell’s quarterback, leading the Knights to a 42-12 victory in the Class 4A Sectional 20 semifinal on Nov. 1, 2013. Harnish totaled 239 yards, threw three touchdown passes, ran for another TD and returned a kickoff 85 yards for another score. Jay County’s J.D. Mangas rushed for 128 yards, eclipsing 3,000 yards for his career. Levi Stant (47 yards)?had the two Jay County touchdowns.

Game notes: This is just the second meeting between Jay County and Norwell, both of which will have been contested in Portland ... Jay County’s stable of wide receivers does not have a career reception between them; junior Bailey Cox returns as the leader in rushing, receiving and tackles ... This marks just the second time since 1997 that Jay County did not play Delta in the season opener. Last season was the other. (Delta is no longer on the Patriots’ schedule, and this is the first season in program history Blackford is not on the schedule) ... The Patriots are aiming for the third consecutive victory in week one.