For the last five seasons, the Allen County Athletic Conference has sent a team to the state finals. Adams Central was able to break through last year in capturing a 2A state crown in its first try.
So overlook this league at your own risk. While the Flying Jets continue to rule the roost, there are a few programs that continue to attempt to challenge Adams Central for the top spot in the ACAC.
Lets break down the ACAC in more detail.
THE FAVORITE
ADAMS CENTRAL FLYING JETS
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Fresh off its first title in 24 years and second overall, and still riding a four-year run of dominance in the ACAC where it has won 29 consecutive games against league foes, the Flying Jets are out to prove that just because a state crown has finally been achieved, this program is still at the top of its game.
Seven starters return on offense, including junior quarterback Jamison Roach and four of five offensive linemen. Two of those linemen were voted IFCA Junior All-State – guard Cam Fravel and tackle Nate Geerken.
The defense has more to replace, but will still be stout.
Until someone is actually able to beat Adams Central, they will remain the pick in this conference. Many have tried, but through the last 29 games, league foes have been unable to find a way to beat the Flying Jets.
THE CONTENDER
BLUFFTON TIGERS
In terms of skill-position players, Bluffton have the most talented group in the ACAC. Quarterback Axton Beste and AJ Streveler are back, both First Team All-ACAC selections a season ago. Junior Cooper Craig returns at running back, a Second Team All-ACAC honoree.
Altogether, nine starters are back on offense and the same on defense. Linebacker Griffin Morgan is a force as the second and third levels are loaded with returnees, including an all-senior starting secondary.
The schedule lays out well for Coach Brent Kunkel’s team, which will once again get plenty of time to get right before taking on Adams Central in Week 8. But Bluffton has lost 15 straight to the Flying Jets, including twice last year by a combined score of 84-31.
THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
HERITAGE PATRIOTS
It was an exceptional Year 1 for Coach Jeremy Hullinger, whose Patriots went 8-2 last season behind a powerful offense that averaged over 33 points per game.
But Heritage has to reload, especially on offense where seven starters graduated, including quarterback Eli Tigulis and receivers Braden Walter and Zeke Litchfield.
Lucas Weber may be asked to carry the load at running back while the offense figures itself out. He rushed for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns last year as a junior, in addition to picking off five passes. Keep it eye on senior Lantae Cassel downfield in the pass game.
Speaking of the defense, it has seven starters back. Alden Bowers, Wyatt Bertsch, Brady Boyle, Kaden Blevins and Tre Washington are all proven commodities at the first two levels. A player to watch is sophomore Jax Litchfield, who is primed for a breakout along the defensive line.
JAY COUNTY PATRIOTS
Can new coach Eddie Fields get Jay County pointed in the right direction?
The Patriots have suffered through eight-straight losing seasons, which includes only beating Southern Wells in the conference last year.
The defense has some solid returners, particularly in seniors Garrett Bennett (103 tackles, seven tackles for loss) and Carter Fugiett in the secondary.
The offense needs to replace the quarterback, its top two yardage gainers on the ground and its top receiver.
SOUTH ADAMS STARFIRES
An offense that averaged over 33 points per game could be even more prolific this season with several top producers back.
Tytus Lehman is in Year 2 starting at quarterback. Year 1 was pretty solid, considering he threw for 2,728 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Leading rusher Will Patterson is back after a break-out campaign last fall as a sophomore when he rushed for 10 touchdowns. Derek McKean and Wes Summersett have both started multiple seasons at wide receiver and tight end, respectively.
The offensive line has a pair of returning starters, guard Nathan Plattner and tackle Haden Meyer. South Adams will need some newbies to contribute on both sides of the line, with a whole new cadre of D-linemen set to see the field, including seniors Dakota Miller, Drew Subler and Meyer, as well as junior Austin Frank.
Plattner was Junior All-State at linebacker, while Kaleb Minger is one to watch as well in the middle of the defense.
Manny Juarez and Gavin Litwiller are the seniors in the secondary.
“We return a lot of skill kids, but we lose three offensive linemen who were three-year starters,” Coach Grant Moser said. “We also lose our entire defensive line. We need to develop the guys in our trenches quickly if we want to have a chance to be competitive in the ACAC.”
SOUTHERN WELLS RAIDERS
Blake Blaker will look to take some steps forward in his second season at the helm of the Raiders. As has been the case in recent years, numbers are a concern, with just 26 players listed on the Southern Wells MaxPreps roster at last check.
Many of the Raiders’ best defense last year were juniors, so the hope is that that unit can be stronger than a year ago when it allowed over 54 points per contest.
Senior Levi Blake does a little bit of everything, returning as the team’s leading receiver and tackler and second-leading rusher.
WOODLAN WARRIORS
Something that went largely unnoticed in 2024 was the fact that Woodlan picked up five wins a year ago in Coach Brock Rohrbacher’s first season, the most for the team since the 2017 run to the state finals.
But the Warriors do have to replace a lot, both in terms of production and guys up front. Ryan Kline is a mauler up front. Junior Ashtin Jacquay is a breakout candidate at running back, while classmate Shaiden Snyder rushed for 531 yards and five touchdowns last year.
Sophomore Eli Funk led the team in tackles as a freshman. Jacquay and Emerson Spieth are exceptional as well on defense.
It may be a bit of a rebuilding season for Woodlan with the personnel lost, but if the talent keeps flowing in the junior and sophomore classes, things will continue to improve in Woodburn.
ACAC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Adams Central
2. Bluffton
3. South Adams
4. Heritage
5. Woodlan
6. Jay County
7. Southern Wells
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