Jay draws Braves again

It’s been a difficult year for the Patriots.

Sunday’s sectional draw may give them a bright spot.

The Jay County High School football team came away with an opening-round game against the winless Bellmont Braves.

The Patriots (2-6) will play at Bellmont (0-8) in the opening round of the Class 3A Sectional 28 tournament on Friday, Oct. 24. The full bracket is as follows:

No. 4 Mississinewa (7-1) at Oak Hill (5-3)

Norwell (1-7) at Heritage (5-3)

Bishop Luers (4-4) at Delta (3-5)

Jay County (2-6) at Bellmont (0-8)

JCHS has dropped six of seven since its season-opening victory over Blackford, including a 42-14 loss Friday to Class 2A No. 3 Lapel. The Braves, meanwhile, have lost 40 consecutive games heading into their regular-season finale against undefeated Class 4A No. 2 East Noble.

This marks the second consecutive year in which the Patriots will play Bellmont in the opening round of the tournament. They won 42-7 last season before falling 41-8 to state runner-up Bishop Luers in the semifinal round.

A win for Jay County in the opening round this season would result in a home game in the semifinal round on Halloween against either Bishop Luers (4-4) or Delta (3-5).

Jay County won its only sectional championship in 2007.