A pair of big runs by Jay County’s AJ Myers helped the home Patriots keep the #2 Jets off the scoreboard in the first quarter of Friday’s ACAC matchup, but it only delayed what now seems inevitable in nearly every conference game the Jets play – a running clock.
Jack Hamilton scored from one yard out on the very first play of the second quarter and the visitors never looked back, piling up points and building a 42-0 lead before giving up a late consolation touchdown.
The AC QB finished the night with two touchdowns on the ground and 64 yards and he completed all three passes he attempted, with two going for for long second-half touchdowns. He finished with 176 yards passing.
Myers’ runs of 55 and 25 yards in the opening quarter sustained drives for the home team, but the Jets, who are still missing some key players with injuries midway through the year now, never looked in trouble.
The Jets quickly got the ball back after Hamilton made it 14-0 with his second run and Aaron Hirschy immediately went 48 yards for a score. Adams Central went on to score one more time just before half when Keegan Bluhm punched it in from three yards out.
Bluhm ended his night with just seven carries for 28 yards.
Coming out of halftime, Adams Central went straight to the air, scoring on the first play as Hamilton connected with Trevor Currie, who was also a perfect six for six on extra points, for a long, 64-yard score.
The next AC drive ended the same way, except it was Ryan Tester on the receiving end of a perfectly-timed pass from Hamilton, going for 57 yards.
Jay County’s touchdown came on a Sean Bailey pass to Benson Ward from 26 yards out as he wrestled the ball away from the AC DB in the end zone.
Adams Central had 341 yards of offense, but allowed 229 to Jay County and the Patriots had ten first downs, but it was the quick-strike scoring that proved fatal for the home team. The Jets did not commit a turnover, but were penalized with four yellow flags.
Adams Central will take their first step toward claiming another ACAC title if they can beat 4-0 Heritage at home next week. They’ll then face rival South Adams at home.
