Jay County hosts Warriors on Friday

Jay County Patriots 

Portland, 2-3 (1-2 ACAC)

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

Conference: Allen County

Last week at Bluffton: The Patriots traded punches with Bluffton and put together a strong late-game drive to pull within two points but ultimately fell 34-25 to the Class 2A No. 9 Tigers. Sean Bailey powered the offense with 134 passing yards and two TDs, while rushing for 64 yards and one TD.

Season leaders: Passing — Sean Bailey – 36-of-70 for 530 yards and seven TDs. Rushing — A. J. Myers – 42 carries for 201 yards and five TDs. Receiving — Benson Ward – six receptions for 160 yards and two TDs. Defense — Lucas Strait – 37 tackles, two blocked punts and one sack.

Woodlan Warriors

Woodburn, 2-3 (1-2 ACAC)

Coach: Brock Rohrbacher, first year (12th overall)

Conference: Allen County

Last week vs. Southern Wells: Drew Fleek led the Warriors to a 50-12 win over the Raiders with 71 yards and three touchdowns on seven rushing attempts. Woodlan only needed 32 plays to put up half a hundred points.

Season leaders: Passing — Ty Louden – 10-of-22 for 254 yards and four TDs. Rushing — Shaiden Snyder – 19 carries for 267 yards and three TDs; Drew Fleek – 52 carries for 245 yards and four TDs. Receiving — Carter Fleek – seven receptions for 172 yards and two TDs. Defense — Drew Fleek – 31 tackles and three sacks.

Last season: After giving up a game-winning touchdown in the final minute in 2022, the Patriots flipped the script as an interception by Grant Wendel set up A.J. Myers for a TD that gave them a 34-29 lead with 1:08 left. Myers finished the game with five TDs and 237 yards on 39 carries.

Game notes: Jay County and Woodlan have met on the gridiron 10 times, with Jay County finally breaking through for its first victory in 2023 .... Since falling 15-14 to Southridge in the 2017 Class 2A state championship game, Woodlan has had six straight losing seasons ... Jay County has a 46.4 Sagarin rating, which is 190th overall and 42nd in Class 3A. Woodlan’s 34.12 rating is 234th overall and 50th in Class 3A ... John Harrell predicts Jay County to win 31-21, while Calpreps.com has the Patriots as 15-point favorites.