The 2020 high school football season will kick off on Friday when two area teams do battle.
Jonathan Alder will make the relatively short trip to Richwood to face the North Union Wildcats.
The game will be a cross-over battle within the Central Buckeye Conference.
Pioneer head coach Brett Glass knows his squad will be up against a talented NU ball club.
“Nick’s (NU head coach Hajjar) team is still going to run from its base Wing T,” said Glass. “However, from what we’ve seen on film, they’re going to try and throw the ball more this season.”
North Union will be guided by veteran quarterback Preston Crabtree.
Returning lettermen Trevor Moran and Trevyn Feasel are dangerous backfield playmakers for the Wildcats.
“Moran and Feasel are going to pick up yardage on the ground,” said Glass. “When Crabtree goes to the air, Feasel will more than likely be his primary target.”
A more wide-open game from North Union really won’t be too much of a surprise.
“They used some spread against us last year,” said Glass, reflecting on the Pioneers’ 42-8 triumph. “Stil, our defensive backs will have to be on their toes this week.”
The Alder boss said he’s seen a bit of a difference in the Wildcats’ defense.
“They played a 4-3 in the past,” said Glass. “This year, it looks as though they are going with a 50 front and angling more.
“They are very good at stopping the run,” he said. “Bellefontaine broke off only one big play against them last week during their scrimmage.”
Glass said he was fairly pleased with his own defense during last Friday’s scrimmage at Fairbanks.
“I think they only got a couple of big plays against us,” he said. “It’s tough that we were only able to have one scrimmage this year (due to the coronavirus).
“We’re still using this week before the first game to evaluate some guys.”
Glass maintains the Pioneer offense will continue to be for what it’s done the past few years.
“We’re going to have to be balanced,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to run and pass the ball to move the chains against North Union.”
“This will be another solid year for JA,” said Hajjar. “Their players understand their system and nothing has really changed.
“They graduated some key players, but JT Keith is back at quarterback. He is extremely accurate and will target Jackson Izzard.
“They have a couple of kids who can run well for them,” he said.
“It is more about how we are playing,” said the NU coach. “We are all playing under the same COVID restrictions, so Week 1 will be the great equalizer.
“It feels good just to play,” said Hajjar. “I know there are people hurting, not being able to get into the games.”