Jay County will take on Lapel Friday

Jay County Patriots 

Portland, 2-5 

Coach: Grant Zgunda, fourth year (27th overall)

Conference: Allen County

Last week vs. South Ådams: The Starfires blanked Jay County in the first half en route to a 34-14 victory. The Patriots ran 36 more plays than South Adams, and gained an extra 81 yards, but couldn’t find ways to put the ball in the end zone.

Season leaders: Passing — Sean Bailey – 59-of-117 for 845 yards and six TDs. Rushing — A.J. Myers – 122 carries for 290 yards and four TDs. Receiving — Benson Ward – 13 receptions for 274 yards and one TD. Defense — Lucas Strait — 54 tackles and two interceptions.

vs.

Lapel Bulldogs

Lapel, 4-3

Coach: Tim Miller, 13th year

Conference: Independent

Last week vs. Heritage Christian: The Bulldogs rattled off 21 second-quarter points, but played from behind the entire way after giving up 21 to the Eagles in the first. Lapel got blanked in the second half to give HCHS a 40-21 victory.

Season leaders: Passing — Devin Craig — 123-of-183 for 1,868 yards and 19 TDs. Rushing — Jack Miller – 133 carries for 706 yards and nine TDs. Receiving — Rylie Hudson — 34 receptions for 605 yards and six TDs, Brice Burress — 22 receptions for 371 yards and five TDs. Defense — Isaiah Young — 83 tackles.

Last season: The Bulldogs defense kept Jay County quiet in the 28-7 defeat a season ago, only allowing one rushing touchdown by Sean Bailey in the second quarter. While Lapel’s defense excelled, the Patriots’ lagged behind giving up a touchdown in three of the four quarters on two passes and one rush. Lapel also scored on a fumble recovery in the third quarter.

Game notes: Jay County is 0-5 all-time against the Bulldogs ... Lapel has dropped three straight games after starting the season 4-0 ... John Harrell predicts Jay County to lose 31-21, while Calpreps.com also has the Bulldogs as 16-point favorites.