The Allen County Athletic Conference is owned by Adams Central, with the other six teams merely fodder.
At least, that is how it has felt in recent years in the ACAC, with the Flying Jets entering 2026 winners of 31-consecutive conference games. The dominance has been complete, with many games during the streak behind decided by 25 or more points.
Aiming for its sixth-straight ACAC crown, does the rest of the conference have anything for Adams Central? Or will this fall be another rinse-and-repeat campaign for the Flying Jets?
Lets break down the ACAC in more detail.
THE FAVORITE
ADAMS CENTRAL FLYING JETS
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Year 1 in Class 3A is a challenge that AC has not yet experienced, but with 16 starters back from a year ago, Coach Michael Mosser’s team is in a good spot.
“We now have to compete against schools larger than us,” Mosser said. “That definitely has added more challenges to us in the postseason. I am not sure how our kids will respond.”
The offense is once again led by quarterback Jamison Roach. Back for his third season as QB1, Roach was an IFCA Junior All-State selection as a junior after accounting for over 1,000 yards passing and close to 1,300 yards rushing last fall with 38 total touchdowns. His knowledge of operating Adams Central’s Wing-T offensive scheme is near flawless, and Roach is almost like a coach on the field in how he knows not only what he is supposed to do on every play, but his teammates as well.
With so much in the way of returning players, and capable newbies ready to fill roles, it is tough to find much in the way of weaknesses on this squad. Can they make a run in Class 3A? It is going to be tough.
But in terms of the ACAC, Coach Mosser’s team is still the favorite by a hefty margin.
For a full preview of the Flying Jets, click HERE.
THE CONTENDERS
BLUFFTON TIGERS
With multi-year starters back at quarterback (Axton Beste), running back (Cooper Craig) and along the offense line (Zane Betz, Austin Bennett, Conner Landis), Coach Brent Kunkel’s team should be every bit as explosive as a year ago when it averaged 37 points per game.
Bluffton lost just twice last season, both to Adams Central by a combined 51 points, including in the 2A playoffs last year. In a cruel twist of fate, as Adams Central moved up due to Success Factor, Bluffton moved up due to enrollment, and are in the same sectional again.
So, fair or not, Bluffton’s success or failure will be determined by its success against the Flying Jets, both in the regular-season and especially in sectional play.
Altogether, eight starters are back on offense and nine on defense. Craig is a multi-year starter at linebacker, and Betz, Cooper Jenkins and John O’Leary Freeman are all veterans on the defensive front.
SOUTH ADAMS STARFIRES
The Starfires under Coach Grant Moser are always going to be in the ACAC title conversation, and this year is no different. South Adams lost to Bluffton and Adams Central a season ago, and it gets both at home this fall – Bluffton in Week 3 and Adams Central in Week 6.
An offense that averaged over 33 points per game could be even more prolific this season with several top producers back.
Quarterback Tytus Lehman must be replaced, but the Starfires are high on junior Zaden Baumer. He will have a pair of high-powered receivers in Wes Summersett (80 receptions, 1,562 yards, 16 TDs) and Jax Wanner (46-516-5), as well as leading rusher Will Patterson (107 carries, 689 yards, nine TDs).
Summersett will be the centerpiece of a defense that returns a half-dozen starters. Experience at all three levels will help as South Adams will look to slow down offenses of good teams. In last season’s four losses, the Starfires allowed an average of 41.5 points per game.
“We return some great skill players, but need to replace our two leading tacklers on defense,” said Moser, who has led South Adams to 10-straight winning seasons. “We also lose four starting offensive lineman and all-state QB (Lehman) and all-state WR (Derek McKean).
“We have high expectations every year. We want to continue to build off our success and continue to fight for our culture every day in everything we do.”
THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
HERITAGE PATRIOTS
While Heritage finished just 5-5 last season, it came close to knocking off Adams Central (a 14-7 loss) and Jay County (a 15-14 defeat) in conference play, both on the road.
Jaxton Litchfield on the edge is the headliner of a defense that brings back some experienced talent from a year ago. Litchfield, a junior, amassed 43 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2025.
Leading tackler Brady Boule also returns, in addition to fellow senior Bryson Berg, although the graduation of Lucas Weber leaves a void in the secondary.
The quarterback spot was a revolving door last year, with four different players attempting at least 18 passes. The expectation is that junior Zeb Tigulis will get the nod there heading into Week 1. Boyle is likely to be the top option at running back, as Weber led the squad last year in rushing.
The Patriots must also replace their top five pass catchers.
JAY COUNTY PATRIOTS
Leighton Brown is one of the standout players in the entire ACAC, an exceptional running back and a fierce linebacker. Second-year coach Eddie Fields will look to ride Brown and take the next step in Jay County’s quest to climb the league standings.
The Patriots began the season 1-4 a year ago, but went 3-3 the rest of the way that included victories over Heritage and Woodlan. The four wins tied for the most for the program in a season since 2016.
There is senior talent at all three levels of the defense. In addition to Brown, Blake Bonifas is solid at D-tackle, Bryan Fields is a good linebacker and Wyatt Foster is a dude in the secondary.
SOUTHERN WELLS RAIDERS
Coach Jeff Sprunger is back at Southern Wells, a place where he went 1-9 in a single season back in 2023.
The Raiders ended their long conference losing streak last season when it knocked off both Jay County and Woodlan. The second half of the schedule is a grind, with Bluffton, Adams Central, Heritage and South Adams in consecutive weeks.
Brothers Josh and Adam Aulbach return as Southern Wells’ top pass catchers. The duo combined for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air.
Josh Aulbach is one of the Raiders’ best defenders, as well as senior Ryker Dollar up front.
WOODLAN WARRIORS
Woodlan struggled to a winless 2025 in the ACAC, but the hope is that playing so many underclassmen last season will pay off this fall.
The senior linebacker duo of Ashtin Jacquay and Emerson Spieth is battle tested and very good in space. Junior Eli Funk started as a sophomore and gives that position even more potential.
Junior Griffin Clear enters his second season as the starting quarterback. The hope is last year’s sophomore struggles lead to more consistency. Several of the top rushers are back, including junior Noah Ames.
Senior Jacob Warden will anchor the offensive front with the graduation of two-way stud Ryan Kline. Junior Henry Schilb and sophomore Malachi Yates will also line up int the trenches.
For the Warriors, it is all about how the roster has weaponized last year’s struggles and turned that into motivation for 2026.
ACAC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Adams Central
2. Bluffton
3. South Adams
4. Heritage
5. Jay County
6. Woodlan
7. Southern Wells
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
Be the first to comment