Patriots facing Trojans

Jay County Patriots

Portland, 1-0 

Coach: Eddie Fields, first year (fifth overall)

Conference: Allen County

Last week vs. Blackford: The Patriots got off to a slow start, but got the ball rolling in the second quarter with a 46-yard touchdown on their first play. The Patriots scored six touchdowns on passes or carries that went 35 yards or more. The defense only had one slip up allowing a 65-yard touchdown in the 56-6 victory over the Bruins. JCHS had 382 yards of offense to 122 for Blackford.

Season leaders: Passing — Nick Laux – 9-of-19 for 203 yards and three touchdowns. Rushing — Leighton Brown – five carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Receiving — Brady Jetmore – six catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Defense — Caleb Sibray – 10 tackles and one sack.

at

New Castle Trojans

New Castle, 0-1

Coach: Kyle York, ninth year

Conference: Hoosier Heritage

Last week vs. Franklin County: Carson Bell and a platoon of receivers had no trouble moving down the field, but they only found the end zone twice in the 27-13 loss. Passing made up 72.6% of the Trojans’ 307 yards of offense. The defense couldn’t hold the line either as Franklin County’s Wyatt Bowling rushed for 290 yards and three TDs.

Season leaders: Passing — Carson Bell – 18-of-38 for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Rushing — Luke Sherrell – 13 carries for 67 yards. Receiving — Tylin Thrine – nine catches for 81 yards and one touchdown. Defense — Malachi Hernandez – 10 tackles and one interception.

Last season: The Patriots allowed the ball to roll to their 1-yard line off the opening kickoff, giving New Castle great field position to strike first in the 20-0 loss. JCHS gave up a couple of big plays to the Trojans in the second quarter to fall behind three scores before a lightning storm halted the game. Jay County ended up forfeiting after it was determined that the game would otherwise be delayed until Saturday with 2:31 left on the clock in the third quarter.

Game notes: This is just the third meeting between Jay County and New Castle, with the series tied at 1-1  ... Last season was the first matchup between the Trojans and JCHS during the regular season as the first matchup came during the 2007 sectional  ... Jay County’s 63.8 Sagarin rating ranks 148th overall and 28th in Class 3A, while New Castle’s 62.82 is 161st overall and 38th in Class 4A ... John Harrell projects the Patriots to lose 31-24.