Jonathan Alder running back Will Heisler picks up yardage during a 2020 game. The Pioneers will host Fairbanks for their Jamboree scrimmage at 7 p.m. on Friday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Nathan Snedeker is in the learning process as the first-year head football coach at Jonathan Alder High School.
He’s liked what he’s seen so far as he becomes more familiar with his squad.
‘These guys are super competitors,” he said. “With their past football history, there is just a natural competitiveness within this program.”
Snedeker, who formerly served as an assistant coach at Pickerington North High School, took over the program during the spring.
He replaced Brett Glass, who is now the new head coach at Dublin Jerome.
Snedeker said he is especially impressed with the leadership displayed by among others, seniors Jon Keith (receiver-defensive back), Will Heisler (running back-linebacker), Logan Shafly (defensive line-running back) and Chase Maynard (running back-linebacker).
The Pioneers scrimmaged at Teays Valley last weekend.
Snedeker said the defensive unit played well, considering the fact JA saw an old-school type of offense.
“Teays Valley played a wishbone with double tight ends,” said the Pioneer coach. “You haven’t seen that offense in a long, long time.”
Snedeker said the defense, led by the likes of Heisler, Maynard and Shafly, did a solid job of playing assignment football against the option offense.
“We were able to adjust to the wishbone on the fly,” said the JA boss. “That just shows you what great football IQs these guys have.”
The coach said his squad has adapted well to the head coaching change.
“We haven’t changed a whole lot from what the team has done for a number of years,” said Snedeker. “We’ve just tweaked a few things with some different terminology.
“It just takes a little time to get some new things together.”
The Pioneers will wrap up their scrimmage schedule on Friday.
They will host neighboring Fairbanks (7 p.m.) for their Jamboree scrimmage.
Snedeker said his squad is working on its offensive schemes in order to prepare for the Panthers.