DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
A quick look at Friday’s end-of-game statistics (without looking at the final score) would indicate that the de facto championship game of the ACAC between unbeaten Bluffton and 7-0 Adams Central was a close one.
Bluffton had six more first downs than the Jets.
Adams Central had the ball for just four more minutes than the Tigers.
Much like the winning team should, the Jets picked up a few more offensive yards, outgaining Bluffton by 56 total yards.
So how did the Jets clobber the Tigers by 30 points?
They did the little things right.
Just one turnover, coupled with no sacks allowed and another week of converting every red zone possession into a touchdown, the #1-ranked team in 2A built a 26-3 lead in the first half and outscored Bluffton in the third quarter and again in the fourth to win by a whopping 30 points, 47-17.
As it turns out, when you score on big plays like the Jets do, the statistics are sometimes skewed.
Adams Central scored on touchdowns runs of 60, 43 and 55 yards, along with throws of 33 and 54 yards to build a 33-9 lead that was insurmountable for the Tigers.
Jami Roach led all players with 162 yards rushing, scoring twice, while also throwing the two long TDs. He finished 5 of 10 for 103 yards in the air.
Joey Everett caught both touchdown catches, finishing with 95 yards, and also ran for a TD in the fourth quarter.
The AC defense kept the high-powered Bluffton offense in check, especially QB Axton Beste. Most of Beste’s yardage came in the fourth quarter and he finished with 109 yards rushing and 169 in the air.
Xander Schwartz had two tackles for loss and led the Jets with 15 tackles, while Thomas Laughlin had ten.
While the victory is sweet for coach Michael Mosser in terms of celebrating an ACAC title, he will have his boys completely focused on the fact that in order to achieve their real goals, the Jets will likely have to defeat Bluffton a second time. Both teams figure to meet again in the local 2A sectional.
Adams Central will host Woodlan in the regular season finale in Week 9.
SCORING SUMMARY
Quarter 1
3:45 – AC – Joey Everett 33-yd catch from Jamison Roach, Braylen Cowans PAT good, 7-0
Quarter 2
10:39 – B – Ethan Ribich 24-yd field goal, 7-3
7:34 – AC – Jamison Roach 60-yd run, Cowans PAT good, 14-3
3:12 – AC – Jamison Roach 43-yd run, 2-PT attempt no good, 20-3
0:00 – AC – Joey Everett 54-yd catch from Jamison Roach, 2-PT attempt no good, 26-3
Quarter 3
4:29 – B – Trey Bustos 33-yd catch from Axton Beste, Ribich PAT no good, 26-9
3:00 – AC – Vance Miller 55-yd run, Cowans PAT good, 33-9
Quarter 4
11:50 – B – Cooper Craig 36-yd catch from Axton Beste, 2-PT try good (Beste pass to Bustos), 33-17
8:51 – AC – Joey Everett 3-yd run, Cowans PAT good, 40-17
5:09 – AC – Braylend Reber 2-yd run, Cowans PAT good, 47-17
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