Jonathan Alder defenders Chase Maynard (41) and Tabor Headings (7) bring down a London ball carrier in this file photo. The Pioneers will face a strong running attack at Columbus St. Francis DeSales on Friday during a Division III playoff game. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
The Jonathan Alder Pioneers may have their most difficult test ahead of them in a couple of days.
That’s when the Alder football team will take its No. 4 seed into Friday night’s Division III playoff contest at No. 1 seed Columbus St. Francis DeSales.
The Stallions’ (6-1) lone loss of the season was against Columbus Bishop Watterson, 35-34, in double overtime on Sept. 18.
DeSales earned a forfeit during the opening week of the playoffs when Wilmington had to cancel the contest due to COVID-19.
The Stallions defeated Granville, 56-35, last Saturday to advance to this week’s game.
After a first-round bye, the Pioneers defeated Zanesville and London to reach Friday’s round of contests.
Both teams are ranked during this week’s final Associated Press state poll for the 2020 campaign.
Alder is rated fifth, while the Stallions are listed a few rungs below at eighth.
DeSales will operate out of the spread offense and use multiple looks.
“They’ve got two good tailbacks in Quintell Quinn (an Ohio University recruit) and Jonathan Thompson,” said Pioneer head coach Brett Glass. “They like to run the football.”
The Stallions’ offensive unit is led by quarterback Whit Hobgood.
“He’s got a good arm, but they don’t throw a ton,” said Glass. “They don’t have to.”
The reason DeSales doesn’t have to go to the air a great deal is due to what Quinn has accomplished.
During a coronavirus-shortened season, he’s gained 872 yards on 141 carries.
The Stallions’ skill position players operate behind a line that averages 250 pounds per man.
One of those linemen is 6-4, 290-pound tackle Joseph Shaefer.
Others include 6-4, 230-pound Michael Boguem, 6-1, 250-pound Billy Cain IV and 6-4, 230-pound Will Hast.
“They’re definitely bigger (in the trenches) than we are,” said Glass. “However, everybody we’ve played this season has been bigger than we are.
“Since we are going to again be undersized, we’ll have to stay low to get past their blockers,” he said.
“Their running backs are also very good at breaking tackles,” said the coach. “Our defense will have to pursue the ball well and get a lot of hats on them.”
Glass knows the Pioneers won’t be able to completely stop DeSales’ ground game.
“However, we have to slow them down in order to win the game,” he said.
The Stallions’ 4-3 defense is built to stop what has long been Jonathan Alder’s offensive bread-and-butter… its own ground game.
Joshua Martin-Hayden is described as a “stout” nose guard, while Thompson has intercepted a pair of passes after dropping in pass coverage from his defensive end position.
“They don’t blitz a great deal,” said Glass. “They just let their guys play and they have been very good at stopping the running game.”
DeSales’ defense has been downright stingy in surrendering rushing yardage.
Opponents have managed only 573 ground yards in seven games.
The Pioneers found the sledding a bit rough running the ball last week against London.
Alder managed just 72 yards against a stiff Red Raider defensive front.
With that in mind, do the Pioneers have to tweak anything in their infantry attack in preparation for the Stallions’ defense?
“Not really,” said Glass. “We just have to do a better job of calling plays and that’s on me.”
Should the Pioneers again run into trouble on the ground, they can go to another key part of their offense.
Quarterback JT Keith has completed nearly 68% of his passes for 1,452 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“JT provides very good leadership and he keeps us steady, even when we don’t have our best offensive game,” said Glass.
The Alder signal-caller has a steady supply of receivers at his disposal.
Jackson Izzard has latched on to 55 passes for 669 yards.
Tyson Mast and Jonathan Keith have respectively snared 39 and 25 receptions for 312 and 413 yards.
The trio has combined for 14 scoring strikes.
“We’re just going to try and be as balanced on offense as we can,” said Glass. “We’ll take what DeSales’ defense gives us.”
Glass knows the Pioneers face a big challenge against the Stallions.
“We’re going to be playing a strong, proud football program in central Ohio,” he said. “Our guys are going to be keyed up for this game.”