Home opener set for Friday against HNHS

Jay County Patriots



Portland, 0-1



Coach: Tim Millspaugh, eighth year



Conference: Allen County Athletic



Last week at Norwell: Jay County had trouble moving the ball on offense and stopping Norwell on defense in a 42-0 loss to the host Knights. Norwell scored 14 points in each of the first two quarters, and Jay County, which only had 62 yards of total offense, only crossed midfield once.



Season leaders: Passing — Sam Dunlavy – 2-of-5 passing for 14 yards and one interception. Rushing — Bailey Cox – nine carries for 31 yards. Receiving — Sheldon Eley and Kess McBride – one catch for seven yards. Defense — Wyatt Bergman – six tackles.



vs.



Huntington North Vikings



Huntington, 0-1



Coach: Bob Prescott, second year



Conference: Northeast 8



Last week vs. Warsaw: Huntington North allowed 499 rushing yards in a 42-35 loss to Warsaw, which set a new school record for rushing yards in a game. Aden Dennis (97 rushing yards) and Garret Johnson (61 yards) both had two rushing touchdowns for the Vikings, who also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.



Season leaders: Passing — Reid Johnson – 4-of-5 for 59 yards. Rushing — Garret Johnson – 12 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns; Aden Dennis – seven carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Receiving — Cam McCarver – two catches for 13 yards; Bailey Landrum – one catch for 38 yards. Defense — Jackson Holzinger – 18 tackles.



Last season: Jay County’s defense unraveled on the opening drive in a 56-0 loss to the Huntington North Vikings. The Patriots, who were shut out for the second consecutive week, fell behind 42-0 at halftime and allowed 341 yards of total offense to the Vikings while only gaining 32 yards themselves and failing to cross midfield.



Game notes: This is the 26th meeting all time between Jay County and Huntington North, with the Vikings holding a 18-7 edge in the series, including the last three meetings (2019, 2018 and 2003). Jay County’s last win against HNHS was a 28-7 triumph in 2002, which snapped a 15-game losing streak against the Vikings ... Huntington North coach Bob Prescott is a 1985 JCHS graduate, and will be returning to Jay County for the first time in his 20th year as a football coach ... This is the first of four home games for the Patriots, who are still without an opponent for next week following Southern Wells’ announcement it would not be playing a varsity schedule ... John Harrell’s website predicts Huntington North to win 56-10, while CalPreps.com has the Vikings as 38-point favorites.