Jay kicks off Friday

Jay County Patriots
Portland, 0-0
Coach: Tim Millspaugh, fourth year
Conference: Allen County
Last season: Jay County doubled its win total from 2014, finishing with a 4-8 record that included a surprising win against Bluffton, a shutout against South Adams and nearly setting the single-game scoring record in a 64-8 win over Indianapolis Marshall.
Returning leaders: Passing — Holton Hill – 60-for-136 for 888 yards, seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Rushing — Cole Stigleman – 113 carries for 666 yards and nine touchdowns. Receiving — Stigleman – 14 catches for 228 yards and four touchdowns. Defense — Ethan Theurer – 71 tackles, six tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Key losses: Drew Huffman – 84 carries for 641 yards and nine touchdowns. Levi Hummel – 126 carries for 570 yards and five touchdowns. Aaron Neal – 18 catches for 335 yards and one touchdown. Thomas Noble – 55 tackles, four tackles for loss.

Delta Eagles
Muncie, 0-0
Coach: Chris Overholt, first year
Conference: Hoosier Heritage
Last season: Delta finished the season 9-4 including the program’s eighth sectional title. The Eagles began the year 1-2, but then won five straight before a 66-29 loss to New Palestine in the regular-season finale.
Returning leaders: Passing — Tanner Lambert – 3-for-7 for 120 yards and one touchdown. Rushing — Logan Clawson – 72 carries for 558 yards and seven touchdowns. Receiving — Clawson – six catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. Defense Brady Pease – 85 tackle, six tackles for loss.
Key losses: Ryley Pease – 81-for-169 passing for 1,572 yards and 16 touchdowns. Zach Mills – 320 carries for 2,424 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Last season: Delta’s Zach Mills took the opening kickoff 82 yards for the score and added three more touchdowns as the Eagles thwacked the Patriots 63-0.

Game notes: Delta has won 25 consecutive games against Jay County — with exception of a forfeit in 2011 — and leads the series 32-11 ... JCHS?junior Holton Hill was named starting quarterback this week after sharing time with sophomore Parker Grimes in the offseason. Grimes will play wide receiver and also see some time under center ... Delta coach Chris Overholt was an assistant at Jay County from 2008 to 2014.