Believe it or not, we have reached Week 8, which means only two weeks left of the regular season before we begin postseason play.
We’re spoiled with a slate of games this week that have major conference implications with high-intensity matchups, but none more than what is taking place in Monroe.
Our Week 8 Game of the Week is a battle between the undefeated 7-0 Bluffton Tigers and the 5-2 Adams Central Flying Jets. The Tigers are by far the highest-scoring team in the ACAC with over 300 total points scored. They’ve also been the stingiest defense and have only allowed 42 total points this season.
Although they’ve lost two games, the Flying Jets defense has been spectacular for the majority of the season and has allowed just 88 total points in seven games.
The ACAC has been dominated in recent years by Adams Central, but this could very well be a changing of the guard.
WHAT’S ON THE LINE?
The ACAC and history is what’s on the line this Friday in Monroe.
Since 2020, Adams Central has been in complete control of the conference after South Adams won it back in 2020. For the first time since then, barring anything crazy happening, we will see a new ACAC champion. If Bluffton wins on Friday, it will be the conference champions for the first time since 1989. If Adams Central defeats Bluffton, it opens up scenarios of ties for the crown heading into Week 9.
The Flying Jets have won the ACAC a total of 14 times, while the Tigers have only won the conference the one time back in ’89. History is on the line and possibly even a change in the tides for the future of the conference, as well. For contrast, the last time Bluffton beat Adams Central was back in 2009 when a Coach Nick Nicholas-led Bluffton team defeated first-year head coach Michael Mosser, 21-19.
Both current coaches are very familiar with each other’s coaching style and the way they run their programs. There’s also a tremendous amount of respect between the head coaches and both are well aware what they’re stepping into on Friday at ‘The Landing Strip.’
“Adams Central is one of the best football programs in all of Indiana,” Bluffton coach Brent Kunkel said. “They do everything right, they don’t make mistakes (and) they are one of the best-coached teams that we will play.
“They are a machine; they are always in the right spots in all three phases of the game. For us to go to Monroe and get a win, we are going to have to get off to a great start, going to have to limit our mistakes and try to capitalize on our opportunities. It should be a great Indiana high school football game.”
“We have to obviously stop their two stars (Cooper) Craig and (Axton) Beste,” Adams Central coach Michael Mosser said. “If we don’t, we lose. Likewise, if we turn the ball over like we did against South Adams, we will lose.
“We must be efficient on offense and score points and limit them as much as possible.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
It’s no secret that Bluffton will continue to do what it always does, establish the rushing attack with both Axton Beste and Cooper Craig. Beste has been a pest for opposing defenses all season, as he has thrown for 564 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 598 yards and nine more touchdowns. In addition, Craig is looking to surpass 1,000 rushing yards for the season in this game, as he currently sits at 939 yards and 18 rushing TDs. As Coach Mosser said, Adams Central is going to have to find a way to stop them, or at least slow them down.
For the Flying Jets, keep an eye on Barrett Collier, Reece Hammond, and Xavier Schwartz to make some plays. Obviously, Bluffton will be focused on slowing down quarterback Jamison Roach, but naturally this will open up opportunities for the other guys to step up and make plays. Last week against Southern Wells, Collier, Hammond and Schwartz each reached the end zone, including passing touchdowns from Roach to both Collier and Hammond. Schwartz scored with a rushing touchdown. Expect much of the same this week.
It’s going to be a good one in Monroe with a lot on the line and with a lot of hungry players that want to come out with bragging rights and the victory. It’ll be a night to remember on Friday.
BLITZ’S PICK
Check out who Blitz feel will win this game and others around the area!
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