Now that nine weeks of the regular season are in the books for area prep football teams, it is time to look ahead to sectional play.
We continue our sectional football primers in Class 2A, Sectional 35, where everyone is chasing Adams Central.
THE DRAW
Churubusco (4-5) at Manchester (5-4)
Adams Central (8-1) at Bluffton (6-3)
Eastside (4-5) at Whitko (0-9)
Prairie Heights (4-5) at Central Noble (0-9)
THE FAVORITE
ADAMS CENTRAL (8-1)
Remember when people were wondering what was wrong with the Flying Jets after a Week 1 loss to Garrett? Turns out, both teams are really good.
The defense is allowing under 10 points per game, while the offense, led by sophomore quarterback Jamison Roach, is exceptional at moving the ball on the ground with a multitude of capable backs.
What is so impressive about AC is the fact that it once again is adept at getting off to really fast starts, at times taking a challenger completely out of the game before they can settle in and even attempt to give the Flying Jets a game.
AC has won nine-straight sectional contests entering the playoffs. It opens with a solid ACAC foe, but one it handled by 25 points just two weeks ago.
THE CONTENDER
BLUFFTON (6-3)
The Tigers are struggling heading into the playoffs, having lost three straight by an average of 21 points.
The most recent loss may have been the most disheartening, as it appeared Bluffton had scored a last-second touchdown that would have set up a game-tying PAT attempt or a game-winning two-point try. But the score was wiped out by a controversial offensive pass interference call in the 29-22 loss to Franklin County.
Bluffton has talent, there is no doubt about. Problem is, it is young talent. Is this roster going to feel the urgency that comes with seniors in their final days of playing high school football? The Tigers only have a few upperclassmen that see playing time.
The schedule does Bluffton no favors, opening up with Adams Central.
THE REST
CHURUBUSCO (4-5)
Outside of AC, which is the only team in this sectional field with an undefeated record against sectional foes?
That’s right, it’s Churubusco, which has beaten Eastside, Prairie Heights and Central Noble this season.
Angelo Ianucilli leads the potent ‘Busco rushing attack, having amassed close to 800 yards on the campaign. Churubusco is, per usual, run heavy.
Defensively, the combination of Jack Huelsenbeck and Weston Ott have been exceptional.
However, the Eagles have struggled against good opponents, finishing the regular season 0-4 against squads with winning records.
EASTSIDE (4-5)
If there was a winner in the draw in this sectional, it is Eastside, which will travel to winless Whitko, then await the winner of a pair of teams it already beat in Prairie Heights and Central Noble.
The Blazers survived a multitude of injuries over the course of the season and strung together a three-game winning streak before being shut down by Angola in Week 9.
Linkin Carter has played very well at quarterback since his return from injury, and freshman running back Noah Dove (683 yards, nine touchdowns) is one of the best ninth graders in the area that no one is talking about.
But much like Churubusco, the Blazers have struggled against good teams. While the path to the sectional final is manageable, a date with Adams Central likely looms. The Flying Jets beat Eastside 43-0 in Week 2.
MANCHESTER (5-4)
Kudos to the Squires, who enter the postseason with a winning record for the first time since 2009. Not bad for first-year coach Brian Enyeart.
The rushing attack is the catalyst for Manchester, with a unit that averages 209 yards per game on the ground.
The defense is suspect, however. The Squires held just one team, winless Southwood, to less than 14 points this year. According to the Sagarin Ratings, Manchester played the weakest schedule out of anyone in the sectional, a condemnation of the competition in the TRC this year.
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (4-5)
When you break it down, the Panthers had a pretty decent regular season, the most wins entering the playoffs since 2013.
But Heights lost four of five down the stretch, including a loss to potential second-round foe Eastside.
Junior quarterback Mac Armstrong is a true dual threat, accounting for over 1,100 total yards and 16 touchdowns in the regular season. However, the Panthers do struggle to force turnovers, having just a pair of interceptions through nine weeks.
Heights gets a winless team on the road then a rematch with Eastside at home in Round 2. A very good draw.
CENTRAL NOBLE (0-9)
It has been a tough campaign for Coach Zach Baber and his Cougars. The average less than two yards per rush and as a team have thrown three touchdown passes and nine interceptions.
As a team, Central Noble is allowing 41 points per game. While it does get to host a first-round game, it will have to find a way to knock off a Prairie Heights team that already beat it 42-20 in Week 4.
WHITKO (0-9)
The Wildcats have not won a postseason game since 2016. That’s also the last time they had a winning record.
Whitko’s leading rusher is a freshman, Hunter Long, who has rushed for 270 yards and a pair of TDs.
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