JCHS defeats Bruins (08/27/07)

Waiting a day had little effect on the success of Jay County's defense. As for Aaron Daniels, well, he waited much, much longer than that.

The Patriot defensive unit didn't allow a point and Daniels stepped in for injured starter Billy Wellman and threw two second-half touchdown passes to Justin Mann in a 27-12 win Saturday night over the Blackford Bruins.

Daniels entered the game in the second quarter when Wellman, a junior, had to leave because of a head injury.

"I didn't even know Billy was hurt really," said Daniels, a senior. "They just told me to start warming up. ... I've been waiting for this moment my whole life, to finally take some reps. It's a totally different pace when you get out there on the offensive side of the ball. ... It was awesome."

Wellman was injured sometime during the second quarter, although it's unclear when it actually occurred. He was pulled from the game as he had trouble remembering plays, and was taken to Jay County Hospital.

He was experiencing amnesia Saturday night, his mother, Becky, said Sunday, and was unable to recall anything about the game or the previous week at school. But, by Sunday morning he was doing well and his memory was returning.

Becky Wellman said doctors in the emergency room told them Billy would likely have to sit out several weeks. She said they had another appointment planned today.

In Wellman's absence, Daniels was able to step in and provide enough offense to overcome some mistakes and support an outstanding defensive effort.

"His leadership skills are amazing," said Hill of Daniels. "His leadership skill from the corner position throughout doubles, in our classrooms, in our hallways ... He just doesn't get rattled. He doesn't get nervous. He's calm under pressure. He's always got a smile on his face. I don't think the kid ever thinks that he can't do it. He's got the attitude that, "If the ball's in my hand, I can make something happen with it.'"

Daniels tossed a perfect 33-yard pass to Mann down the right sideline late in the third quarter for a 21-6 Patriot lead. And, after Blackford returned a blocked punt for a touchdown to get back in the game, he engineered a scoring drive to finish off the visitors.

Jay County (1-1) recovered the ensuing onside kick, and after a 16-yard Michael Jobe run Daniels took care of the rest. He completed 4-for-5 passes on the 50-yard drive - the other attempt was dropped - and finished it off with a 7-yard scoring pass to Mann.

The senior receiver showed great concentration on the fourth-down play. The ball was tipped by the Bruins' Matt Miller, but Mann kept his focus on it and made the catch as he was falling backward to the ground.

"It was amazing," said Daniels. "I owe a big part to Justin Mann for the big catch he made at the end. He saved me there. It felt great."

Daniels went 7-for-12 with two touchdowns in about 2 ½ quarters of action. Mann's two touchdown receptions give him four TDs for the season, and he finished the game with five catches for 72 yards.

"The thing about Justin is we know when we put the ball in his hands he's going to make something happen with it," said Hill. "When that ball is in the air, it's his."

Jay County's defense was impressive, allowing just 95 yards of total offense in the completion of the game Saturday after giving up 30 on the Bruins' lone drive before the game was postponed Friday night.

Blackford (1-1) couldn't manage a single offensive point - its first score was a 94-yard interception return in the second quarter - and crossed the Patriot 40-yard line just once after halftime. After allowing just one first down in the third quarter last week against Delta, Jay County held the Bruins without a first down in the third quarter Saturday.

Clint Muhlenkamp made the saving tackle on Blackford's best scoring opportunity, driving running back Branigan Norton out of bounds at the 15-yard line following a 30-yard gain on a swing pass late in the second quarter. Blackford quarterback Jorden Nickols made a great effort scrambling toward the goal line on the next play - the last of the opening half - but came up just short of the pylon.

"Our defense is sky high right now," said Muhlenkamp. "They don't think anyone can mess with them."

Blackford managed just 125 yards of total offense in the game that spanned two August evenings, with Nickols going 4-of-13 for 49 yards. Norton ran the ball nine times for 43 yards.

"I think we played hard. I don't think we played smart," said Bruin coach and JCHS graduate Steve Boozier, whose team was penalized for 96 yards in the first half alone. "Our offense kind of looked like a spastic chicken (Friday) night and turned around tonight and looked like the same thing.

"I think it's a different ball game if they call that a touchdown at the end (of the first half). And then the two-point conversion ... those were big plays."

Blackford had a chance to get within one score thanks to the blocked punt return, but the Patriot defense denied their try for a two-point conversion.[[In-content Ad]]