Preston Eisnaugle of Jonathan Alder takes a snap during a game against Indian Lake. The Pioneers are 5-1 on the season as they prepare to take on Bellefontaine.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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Another game vital to post-season computer points will confront the Jonathan Alder Pioneers tonight.
Alder will take a 5-1 record into its Homecoming game against the Chieftains of Bellefontaine, who sport an identical record.
The Pioneers are ranked No. 2 in Region 16 of Division IV, while Bellefontaine is fourth in Region 11 of Division III.
The Chieftains will operate out of the spread offense, but they want to run the ball more than take to the air.
Quarterback Dezmin Lyburtus is the leader of the offense and has drawn huge praise from JA head coach Brett Glass.
“He’s one of the best players I have ever coached against,” said Glass. “He’s one of their primary ball carriers and also has a great arm.”
Bellefontaine also has several solid running backs in Trey Stahler, Jerome Smith and Garrett Grose.
While the Chieftains are primarily a ground-oriented team, they do have players who can catch the ball.
William Parsley, Johnny Ganson, Jack Clement and Kaidon Hughes each have eight-to-12 receptions.
“Bellefontaine has a ‘big-play’ offense with both the run and the pass,” said Glass. “We have to eliminate their big plays.”
However, if the game is on the line, Lyburtus will more than likely have the pigskin in his hands.
“Their offense is composed of a lot of read game and designed quarterback runs,” said Glass. “He is going to be difficult to tackle one-on-one in space. As such, we are going to need to get people to the football.
“He’s one of the quickest and best play-makers we will have faced all year.”
The Chieftain backfield will operate behind a solid offensive line that moves off the ball well, according to Glass.
“Lyburtus can run off tackle and to the outside,” said Glass.
Bellefontaine will employ a 4-3 defense that’s a bit different from the 50 fronts the Pioneers have seen the past couple of weeks from Indian Lake and Kenton Ridge.
“Their linemen and linebackers are fast,” said Glass. “They don’t blitz or stunt a ton, but they are an aggressive-based defense and they quickly get to the football.
“We will have to see what their defense gives us, but we have to be balanced and spread the ball around to a lot of hands,” he said.
“I think their defense will key on Jamie (running back Dye), especially after the type of games he’s had the past couple of weeks,” said the JA coach. “However, we’ve also got the ability to put the ball in the air.”
Although the game will include Homecoming festivities, Glass doesn’t feel his squad will be distracted.
“Our kids are mentally tough,” he said.
“This is a big game that will determine a lot of things (playoff points and standing in the Central Buckeye Conference),” said Glass. “We have the two-best records overall at this point (in the CBC) and there are playoff points to be had.”