Jonathan Alder’s Cade Keaton (40) tackles a Bellefontaine ball carrier. The Pioneers will face Jackson during Friday’s Division III regional semifinal game at Teays Valley High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Jonathan Alder head football coach Brett Glass achieved a milestone of sorts last Friday when the Pioneers defeated Thornville-Sheridan, 35-13.
It was the first playoff victory for Glass, who is in his sixth season at the Alder helm.
Glass has taken the Pioneers to the post-season in four seasons. During the three previous appearances, JA lost the opening-round game.
“I’d by lying if I didn’t say it was a little bit of relief for me that we won,” said Glass. “However, it’s more about the team winning.”
The Pioneers have adopted a one-week-at-a-time mentality for the remainder of the 2019 campaign.
“As the regular season progressed, we started counting down to 10 victories before the playoffs,” said Glass.
Alder reached the 10-win mark a couple of weeks ago with a thrilling, last-second triumph over London during the regular-season finale.
Along with a perfect record, the Pioneers earned the outright championship of the Central Buckeye Conference’s Kenton Trail Division.
Once the regular season concluded, Alder revved up with the mindset of one-week seasons.
“Whatever has happened before doesn’t matter,” said Glass. “We’re down to one-week seasons from here on out.”
Glass has posted a 49-15 record going into Friday’s Division III regional semifinal contest against Jackson (also 11-0).
The game will be played at Teays Valley High School.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Does the one-time Alder player and defensive coordinator have a “magical” secret for all of the success so early in his head-coaching career?
“No,” he laughed. “It’s just having good players and a coaching staff what works very hard,” he said. “It’s nothing I’m doing.
“This team is just continuing to contribute to the football tradition we have at Jonathan Alder.”
Just what has the 2019 squad done in particular to add to Alder’s gridiron legacy?
“Our senior class has provided great leadership,” said Glass. “You’re only as good as your seniors.
“They have been great role models.”
Glass said the team’s CBC championship season and playoff berth have created a stir within Pioneer Nation.
“There’s a lot of excitement here,” said Glass, who is also a science teacher at JA. “The students, some of whom probably don’t follow football that much, and the staff are very excited.
“The community and school are behind us,” he said. “There seems to be a little more pep in everyone’s step and football creates good morale when we have a good season.”
Glass said there has been nothing different in the Pioneers’ routine this week in preparation for Friday’s contest.
“It’s practice as usual,” he said. “We’re just going to focus on us and prepare to face a good Jackson team.”