DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
When the IHSAA released the sectional draw for the 2023 postseason, there was little doubt where WZBD’s microphones would go for the Game of the Week after South Adams was drawn at Adams Central.
A matchup that has brought so many great memories in the last ten years (and longer) will take place in the postseason for the third straight time and the fifth time in the last seven years. The Jets have won each of the last four postseason meetings and the last time South Adams eliminated their northern rivals was way back in 2014.
After the Jets whomped South Adams in the regular season 48-0, it goes without saying that the Starfires have a lot of work to do.
Coach Grant Moser, who has won four sectionals in his career, feels that it starts with containing Adams Central on first down.
“We have to find those stops, we have to get them off schedule,” he told WZBD during practice Thursday. “It’s something we have not been successful at any time we’ve played them in the last two years, putting them in second and long, third and long chances. That’s the key to start.”
Having lost five in a row against their biggest rivals, the Starfires face the tough task of deciding which Adams Central player to attempt to neutralize. The Jets have had no problem limiting Keegan Bluhm’s touches and calling someone else’s number, but the senior still has 769 rushing yards on just 12 rushes per game, averaging over seven yards a carry.
The reason for that lack of hesitancy is the yardage gained this year by quarterback Jack Hamilton on the ground. When opposing defenses have keyed in on Bluhm, Hamilton has hit opponents for over 10 yards a carry and over 650 yards on just 60 carries.
Combined, the two have 26 rushing touchdowns.
On top of all that, Aaron Hirschy has an even higher rushing average and eight scores.
“We haven’t been very successful at putting them in those tough yardage situations the last two years,” admits Moser. “They are very good at what they do and they block very well.”
Head coach Michael Mosser’s team has only had one team on their mind all season and that’s Indianapolis Lutheran. The Saints kept AC from winning last year’s state title at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Jets have not been tested in this regular season and many expect them to go untested all the way through the postseason until they return to Indianapolis.
Coach Mosser knows his team has the advantage, but he also knows what can happen in playoff football.
“We must execute efficiently,” he told WZBD Thursday. “The great thing about this team is that I don’t really have to preach that to them. This is a motivated team, they know what’s at stake. If they don’t come ready to play, they go home.”
While the Jets have put up monster offensive numbers this year, it’s the defense that has been truly impressive. The team has allowed just 45 points in the first nine contests and they’ve forced 14 turnovers. The secondary has been especially lethal on turnovers and they’ve allowed just three passing touchdowns all season.
With the Starfire offense, Moser saw some things that he liked in the first meeting, but they did not convert into points.
“We moved the ball some last time,” he says, “but we just could not finish drives. They’re good.”
Gates will open at the Adams Central football stadium at 6 p.m. and tickets will be $7, as set by the IHSAA. No season passes will be honored and only cash will be accepted at the gate.
The winner of the sectional opener will travel to either Fremont or Southwood for the sectional semifinal next week. The odds will be in local fans’ favor for a home sectional championship game if Adams Central or South Adams can reach that point.
Friday’s big game will, as mentioned, be broadcast live on WZBD, 92.7 FM. Fans can listen on their radio or on their computers by clicking on the red link on the WZBD.com home page that says “Listen Live.”
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