Patriots to visit Delta

Jay County Patriots
Portland, 0-0
Coach: Tim Millspaugh, third year
Conference: Allen County Athletic
Last season: Jay County struggled through the season to a 2-8 record during the Patriots’ first year in the ACAC. Jay County’s only victories came week two against Blackford and three weeks later in a 54-50 shootout against Bluffton. The Patriots then lost in the opening round of the sectional tournament to a winless Marion squad.
Returning leaders: Passing — none. Rushing — Cole Stigleman – 107 carries for 767 yards and seven touchdowns. Receiving — Aaron Neal – four receptions for 39 yards. Defense — Mario Rodriguez – 64 tackles and three tackles for loss.
Key losses: Joey Link – 15-of-27 for 248 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Rushing — Levi Stant – 116 carries for 465 yards and two touchdowns. Receiving — Cameron Kunkle – five catches for 120 yards.

Delta Eagles
Muncie, 0-0
Coach: Grant Zgunda, 23rd year
Conference: Hoosier Heritage
Last season: The Delta Eagles finished 7-5 with a loss to conference foe Yorktown in the sectional title game. It was the third straight winning season and the 18th time in the last 19 years the Eagles were above .500.
Returning leaders: Passing — Riley Pease – 1-for-1 for 15 yards. Rushing — Zach Mills – 54 carries for 612 yards and six touchdowns. Receiving — Mitchell Hahn – seven receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown. Defense — Logan Clawson – 56 tackles and four tackles for losses.
Key losses: Passing — Cade Jones – 65-for-128 for 1,166 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Rushing — Joe Spegal – 252 carries for 1,960 yards with 30 touchdowns. Receiving — Tate Stone – 33 receptions for 647 yards and six touchdowns.

Last season: Jay County scored midway through the first quarter but then did get on the board again in a 48-6 loss on its home field. Spegal rushed for 199 yards with three touchdowns, and Stone caught five catches for 104 yards and three scores. The game was moved to Saturday evening because of heavy storms in Portland.

Game notes: This is the 43rd meeting between the two schools, and Delta holds a 31-11 advantage in the series. Jay County’s last win was in 2011 by forfeit. The Patriots won in 1993, but had to forfeit that contest —?both forfeits in the series were because of ineligible players ... Delta and?Jay County are once again sectional rivals as the Eagles were moved up to Class 4A.