Jonathan Alder’s Jamie Dye stretches for yardage during a game from earlier this season. Dye rushed for 284 yards as JA beat Kenton Ridge, 28-21, on Friday.
(Journal-Tribune file photo by Will Channell)
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Final-stanza touchdown leads to JA victory
For much of the 2017 season, the Jonathan Alder Pioneers have found ways to win football games.
That trend continued Friday evening when they went on the road and defeated Kenton Ridge, 28-21.
The Cougars trailed 21-7 at one stage during the third quarter, but rallied for two touchdowns that tied the game.
The stalemate carried over into the fourth period until Alder’s Jamie Dye scored the go-ahead TD on a four-yard run.
The touchdown, plus Ethan Gordin’s extra point, gave JA a 28-21 lead with 6:30 left in the game.
The Alder defense then came up with a stop when Preston Eisnaugle intercepted a pass.
The Pioneers were able to run out the clock for the victory.
Drew Myers scored the game’s initial touchdown on a five-yard pass from Eisnaugle in the opening quarter.
Gordin’s conversion gave JA a 7-0 lead that carried over to the second quarter.
Dye, who had a monster game with 284 yards on 35 carries, scored on a 60-yard run. Gordin’s PAT pushed the Pioneers out to a 14-0 lead.
The Cougars (4-2) got on the scoreboard when quarterback Dylan Lemen connected with Nasiim McKay on a 27-yard pass.
Zach Nester booted the extra point.
JA (5-1) took a 21-7 margin in the third quarter when Dye raced 70 yards into the end zone.
Gordin kicked his third conversion of the night.
Kenton Ridge’s third-quarter TDs came on a 65-yard pass from Lemen to Jaden Jenkins and a 20-yard run by Carson Jones.
Nester’s extra points tied the game at 21-21.
The Pioneers (who will host Bellefontaine for Homecoming on Friday) rolled up nearly 500 yards (484) in total offense.
They rushed for 325 and passed for 159.
Eisnaugle connected on 15-of-20 passes.
Myers caught seven passes for 35 yards and Dalton Potts added four for 53.
“The key to this game is the fact the kids handled adversity well, especially after Kenton Ridge tied the game,” said head coach Brett Glass. “We scored the go-ahead touchdown and then had a nice defensive stop to seal the win.
“We still have some things to work on, such as offensive consistency,” he said. “We also gave up a couple of big pass plays, so we have to continue to work on that.
“We are still, however, finding ways to win.”