Jonathan Alder quarterback JT Keith throws a long pass at Urbana during the 2019 season. Keith, a junior, is recovering from knee surgery and should be ready for the 2020 campaign. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
The local high school football season ended a little more than a month ago with one of the area’s top players injured.
Jonathan Alder quarterback JT Keith went down with a serious knee injury during the Pioneers’ final Division III state playoff game against Columbus Bishop Hartley.
Keith was injured in the first half and was helped off the field.
He was stretched out on the trainer’s table on the sidelines and things didn’t look good.
Keith then hobbled out on crutches and glumly watched the Pioneers’ season come to an end in the regional championship game with 27-14 setback to the Hawks.
I caught up with Keith at a Jonathan Alder basketball game a week or so ago.
The preliminary concern was that JT had torn his ACL, which is a very difficult injury from which to bounce back.
Fortunately, there was no tear to the vital ligament.
Keith did, however, have to undergo surgery.
There was a bit of a wait until the swelling went down before the surgery was performed right before Thanksgiving.
There was damage to his meniscus, but no ACL problems.
Keith’s leg was wrapped up tighter than a race horse’s and he was wearing a brace to stabilize the knee when I talked with him.
The senior-to-be signal caller told me he would soon be starting physical therapy in order to begin the strengthening process of the injured knee.
He also said he will more than likely have to wear a smaller type of brace in practices and games during his final high school football campaign.
I hope JT can come back strong from this injury.
He had a monster junior campaign as he earned first-team All-Ohio honors and the same accolade in the Central District.
Keith was also named the offensive player of the year for the Central District.
He threw for 2,475 yards, while 32 of his passes ended up for touchdowns.
Opponents only picked him off three times this past fall.
Keith will have his No. 1 throwing target, Jackson Izzard, back for a final season in 2020.
Izzard caught 66 passes for 963 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Let’s hope that Keith is healthy enough to help continue the Pioneers’ good fortunes next fall.