Jonathan Alder’s Will Heisler picks up yardage against Kenton Ridge. Heisler’s interception helped set up JA’s 24-21 win. (Photo submitted)
Jonathan Alder’s gridiron squad got back on the winning track Friday evening.
The Pioneers upped their record to 3-4 with a 24-21 triumph at Kenton Ridge.
The contest was decided on Charlie Aurin’s 26-yard field goal with scant seconds to play.
The Cougars put the first points on the board late in the opening period.
Quarterback Trinton Cordle tossed a three-yard TD pass to Bryce Smith.
The extra point by Wesley Buskirk gave Kenton Ridge a 7-0 advantage.
The Pioneers (who will host Bellefontaine for Homecoming on Friday) got on the scoreboard during the second quarter.
Quarterback Tabor Headings scored on a one-yard plunge into the end zone.
Aurin’s extra point sailed wide left, leaving the Pioneers down 7-6.
The Pioneers took the lead late in the second quarter.
Headings connected with Josh Kaiser on a nine-yard scoring strike.
Will Heisler went into the end zone on the two-point conversion.
As such, JA took a 14-7 lead at halftime.
Neither team scored during the third quarter.
Alder attempted a 34-yard field goal at the 8:34 mark, but couldn’t get the ball over the crossbar.
Kenton Ridge tied the game at 14-14 with 10:39 left in the fourth stanza.
Evan Faust took the ball in from four yards out.
Buskirk’s PAT tied the game.
The Cougars attempted on onside kick.
JA recovered the pigskin at midfield, but couldn’t put together a drive.
Alder punted and the Cougars marched on a go-ahead scoring series.
Caleb Obee raced 75 yards into the end zone for the score.
The extra point gave Kenton Ridge a 21-14 margin with approximately five minutes to play.
The Cougars attempted another onside kick, which also proved unsuccessful.
The Pioneers took over possession on the Cougar 46-yard-line.
Headings directed the game-tying drive, capping it with a 12-yard pass to Kaiser.
Aurin’s conversion tied the game at 21-21 with 2:16 to play.
Heisler stepped in front of a Cougar pass and intercepted it at the Kenton Ridge 36 with a little more than one minute to play.
Alder had possession on the KR nine-yard line with 7.9 ticks on the clock.
Aurin booted the 26-yard field goal to win the game.