The 2019 Jonathan Alder football team is pictured from left, front row, Dawson Detwiller, Connor Morgan, Crew Wheeler, Braden Blain; second row, Jacob Fenik, Gerret Proxmire, Jackie Santa-Emma, Jackson Thomas, Johnny Kaltenbach, Blake Caldwell, Drew Begin, Cade Keaton and Josh Jones; third row, Dylan Moore, Brendan Liford, Josh Kaeser, Kyle Kidd, Jackson Izzard, Breckin Francis, Hunter Hardesty, Luke Davis, Jude Reed, Alec Schrock, Denver Petersheim and Zachery Russell; fourth row, Jayden Truitt, Jonathan Keith, Colin Komisarek, Jackson Bennett, Will Heisher, Joseph Tucker, Tyson Mast, J.T. Keith, Taber Headings, Andrew McGlaughlin, Logan Shafley, Chase Maynard and Nick Finke; fifth row, Corey Kingry, Mason Wolford, Carson Careiner, Damon Hay, Blake Seum, Owen Crabtree, Baylor Petzinger, Aidan Burke, Wyatt Bruce, Wyatt Kaizer, Oliver Byerly and Simon Fenik; sixth row, Cody Greger, Andrew Richey, Hank Shoemaker, Cam Smith, Keeghan Dewitt, Doug Nussbaum, Eli Trbovich and Isaak Ricker; seventh row, coach Tim Brink, coach Craig Kyle, coach Chris Clapham, coach Donnie Glick, coach Brett Glass, coach Chris Homan, and coach Chris Tilton. See Jonathan Alder team photos at www.marysvillejt.com.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The Jonathan Alder football squad hit a little bump in the road last year as far as its history of state playoff berths.
The Pioneers posted a 6-4 record and a season-finale setback to Springfield Shawnee not only cost them a post-season berth, but also a Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division crown.
JA finished 2-2 in the circuit, as runner-up to Bellefontaine (3-1).
Alder has a veteran nucleus that is capable of not only vying for a conference championship, but also a spot in the Division III (up from D-IV) playoffs.
Tailback Garrett Proxmire returns after rushing for 1,400 yards as a junior.
Quarterback J.T. Keith threw for 1,800 yards as a sophomore and has several standout receivers at his disposal, including Jacob Fenik, Jackson Izzard and Dawson Detwiler.
Additional lettermen include offensive lineman Blake Caldwell, defensive end Kyle Kidd, defensive backs Drew Begin and Cade Keaton, Crew Wheeler (fullback-linebacker) and Braden Blaine (offensive line and linebacker).
Head coach Brett Glass will also mix in some varsity newcomers into the lineup.
They include offensive linemen Alex Schrock and Andrew McGlaughlin, linebacker Chase Maynard, defensive back Jonathan Keith, wide receiver Johnny Kaltenbach, offensive and defensive lineman Breckin Francis and wide receiver Jackie Santa-Emma.
“Jackie played soccer his first three years of high school, but wanted to give football a try as a senior,” said Glass. “He’s a smart, tough athlete.”
Glass said there won’t be many changes to either the Pioneers’ offensive or defensive playbooks.
“We may be a little more spread on offense, but we also want to run the ball,” he said. “We’ve got a solid quarterback, good receivers and a very good running back.
“You’ve heard me say this a thousand times before, but we want to be balanced and take advantage of what any opposing defense gives us.”
Alder will employ a 4-3 defensive alignment under new coordinator Josh Bope, who is a former Alder gridder.
“We’ll mix in some 4-2-5 and 4-4 looks as well,” said Glass, who guided the Pioneers’ defense before becoming head coach six years ago.
“I feel we will be able to stop the running game and force turnovers in the 4-3,” he said.
Glass feels very comfortable with all of the team’s skill positions.
“They are all good ball players,” he said.
He also likes Alder’s lines on both sides of the ball, but added that building depth in both units is a bit of a concern.
Other than that, he doesn’t have too many worries heading into the season.
“We don’t have any specific concerns,” said Glass. “We just want to see how the guys play once the lights go on during Friday nights.
“However, this won’t be the first time for a lot of these guys.”
The Central Buckeye Conference has been a solid circuit for several years and has become even more difficult with the addition of London.
“They are a tough, physical team that went to the regional finals a year ago,” said Glass.
The addition of the Red Raiders will renew what at one time was a fierce Madison County rivalry with the Pioneers.
“Bellefontaine has a ton of veterans, while Kenton Ridge and Shawnee have excellent athletes at quarterback,” said Glass.
“We will also play North Union in a cross-over game and they have a very good program.
“Each week is going to be a grind,” he said. “There are no ‘freebies’ on our schedule.”
Despite a difficult slate of games, the Pioneers’ goals have not changed.
“We want to win in Week 1, win a conference championship and get to the playoffs,” said Glass. “After that, we’ll let the chips fall where they may.”