Jay County gets a rematch with the Braves

Jay County Patriots

Portland, 3-6

Coach: Eddie Fields, first year (fifth overall)

Conference: Allen County

Last week vs. Heritage: The Patriots were down but made a final drive that included a 5-yard touchdown pass from Nick Laux to Aiden Phillips and a Laux 2-point conversion run to take a 15-14 lead with seven seconds remaining. Leighton Brown scored the opening touchdown as JCHS picked up a win before the playoffs.

Season leaders: Passing — Nick Laux – 69-of-121 for 741 yards and seven touchdowns. Rushing — Leighton Brown – 122 carries for 631 yards and five touchdowns. Receiving — Brady Jetmore – 20 catches for 270 yards and three touchdowns.

Bellmont Braves

Decatur, 0-9

Coach: Nick Hall, sixth year

Conference: Northeast 8

Last week at East Noble: The Braves managed only one score on a pass from Charlie Faurote to Mason White in a 60-7 loss to close the regular season. The Knights threw for 318 yards and seven touchdowns in the win.

Season leaders: Passing — Charlie Faurote – 97-of-207 for 951 yards and four touchdowns. Rushing — Jason Lykins – 77 carries for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Receiving — Jason Lykins – 22 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Defense — Grady Baker – 72 tackles and two sacks.

Last season: The Patriots ran amok on Bellmont with four rushing touchdowns in a 42-7 sectional victory last year. Jay County got started strong with a pair of punch ins by A.J. Myers and Leighton Brown in the opening period before adding two more TDs from Sean Bailey and Benson Ward in the second. JCHS added two more scores on another Bailey run and a 25-yard interception by Austin Schoenlein.

Game notes: The Patriots have faced Bellmont nine times and hold a 7-2 advantage in the series, including a 3-2 record in the postseason ... JCHS and the Braves have only played twice in the 21st century, both games going to the Patriots ... Jay County snapped a six-year drought without a sectional win by beating BHS 42-7 last year ... Bellmont has dropped 41 consecutive games with its last win coming in 2021 ... The Braves last won a sectional game in 2018 with a 16-6 victory over Garrett  ... Jay County has a 39.85 Sagarin rating, which is 196th overall and 35th in Class 3A. Bellmont’s 23.27 rating is 258th overall and 54th in Class 3A ... John Harrell projects Jay County to win 35-21.