Adams Central and South Adams played to a 7-7 tie in the opening 24 minutes before the visiting Jets scored three times in the second half to win their fifth game in a row, beating the Starfires, 27-7.
The path to an ACAC title continues to lead to a matchup in a fortnight between the Jets and the Bluffton Tigers, the last two unbeaten teams in the seven-school conference.
The formula was predictable for Adams Central with no intention of using a passing game with the nasty weather. Jami Roach made just two passing attempts and all the Jets’ offense came on the ground, to the tune of 319 yards.
The visitors signaled their intentions early on, leaving the offense on the field for 4th & 1 on their own 46-yard line. The line to gain was barely reached and the drive continued.
Joey Everett put the Jets in the red zone and Roach capped off a 12-play drive by punching it in for the game’s first score.
The weather conditions made it difficult to know whether Adams Central intentionally went for a short kick or whether it was mishit, but the Starfires were handed great position on their first drive midway through the first quarter.
The fourth play of that drive was a little lateral pitch at the last second to Will Patterson, who took it 36 yards near the goal line. Lehman faked the handoff on the next play and kept it himself, scoring what was ultimately the team’s only points of the game.
The Starfires quickly forced Adams Central to punt and punting was an adventure all night long, but the Jets got a good bounce and both teams struggled to gain any yardage the rest of the first half.
Despite failing to convert on a fourth-down try and turning the ball over, Adams Central appeared to grind out a touchdown drive at the death of the first half, but Aaron Hirschy’s touchdown (shown below) was called back for holding on third down and the yardage made a fourth-down try too much for the run-heavy offense, with Roach making a desperate attempt for one of his two passing attempts on the night.
The rest of the game belonged to the Jets, who dominated time of possession thanks to Starfire turnovers. The defense came up with a big stop, forcing a three and out with the Stars beginning the half with the ball.
Matt Heiser punched it home to give the Jets the lead back from two yards out and after a quick SA possession, Hirschy scored from nine yards out to effectively put the game away.
Hirschy scored once more with two minutes remaining in the game to finish the scoring. He finished the game with 106 yards rushing and the two scores.
Joey Everett had 72 yards on the ground and Roach carried the ball for 54 yards.
Tytus Lehman was 6 of 14 passing for 31 yards for South Adams.
Kaleb Minger led the Stars in tackles with nine, while Luke Bauman had eight, with two going for loss.
Max Kaehr was a terror for the Starfire offense, leading the Jets in tackles with nine, forcing a fumble, sacking Lehman and picking up two more tackles for loss.
Adams Central will host Southern Wells in Week 7, while South Adams will travel to Jay County. Starfire fans can hear next week’s game on WPGW or at wpgwradio.com.
Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
6:05 – Jamison Roach 1-yd carry, Cowans PAT good, 7-0
3:58 – Tytus Lehman 3-yd carry, Garcia PAT good, 7-7
Quarter 3
6:18 – Matt Heiser 2-yd carry, Cowans PAT good, 14-7
2:08 – Aaron Hirschy 9-yd carry, Cowans PAT good, 21-7
Quarter 4
2:20 – Aaron Hirschy 8-yd carry, Cowans PAT no good, 27-7
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