Jonathan Alder quarterback Tabor Headings looks downfield for a receiver during last week’s game against Thornville-Sheridan. The Pioneers will travel to Bloom-Carroll on Friday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Jonathan Alder’s football team looks to crack the win column when it travels to Bloom Carroll on Friday.
It’s not going to be an easy task.
The Bulldogs (2-0) are loaded with offensive threats.
“They are going to operate out of a spread formation and like to primarily run the ball,” said Pioneer head coach Nathan Snedeker.
One of the primary threats is running back Eli Rickly.
Quarterback K.J. Benedict, however, can also take off with the ball and find open space.
If those two aren’t potent enough, Benedict has several receivers with which he can connect.
“They’ve got very fast skill guys out the wazoo,” said Snedeker.
The Pioneer defense will also have to contend with receivers Beau Wisecarver and Andrew Marshall.
“Bloom Carroll has the speed to get the ball out on the edge,” said Snedeker. “They are going to make us tackle them in space.
“That’s something we will have to do in order to stop them.”
Although the Bulldogs’ offense has put 76 points on the board (49 against Highland and 27 against New Concord John Glenn), Snedeker said the defense (which has yielded 31 points) is where the Fairfield County team stands out.
“Most of their veterans are on defense,” said the Jonathan Alder coach.
Bloom-Carroll employs a 3-4 base defense.
“Their defensive linemen are very good at reading an opponent’s offensive line,” said Snedeker. “They fill the gaps well and keep their linebackers clean to make tackles.
“Their secondary is also filled with their fast skill players from the offensive unit.
“We are going to have to move the ball against a very good defensive line,” he said. “We have to establish our ground game in order to set up our passing attack.”
Running back Will Heisler had some nice gains last week against Thornville-Sheridan.
JA quarterback Tabor Headings also appeared to mature a bit in the role.
“I saw some growth out of Tabor against Thornville-Sheridan,” said Snedeker. “He got off some quick passes, which I liked, and had better timing on his delivery.
“We still have some stuff to work on, such as reading defenses,” said the coach. “This is his first season as the starting varsity quarterback and it’s a learning curve for him.”
Snedeker said the Pioneers’ offensive execution was better during the second week of the season.
“There is still some work to do,” he admitted. “We’re still working to build trust in each other as a unit.”