North Union quarterback Caden Lassiter prepares to throw the ball downfield during a game from earlier this season. The Wildcats will play at Jonathan Alder on Friday. (Journal-Tribune file photo)
Will Heisler of Jonathan Alder (26) takes a handoff from quarterback Tabor Headings. The Pioneers will host North Union on Friday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Over the past few years the football rivalry between North Union and Jonathan Alder has been a little one-sided.
The Pioneers have won the last five meetings.
The last time the Wildcats came out on the winning side was in 2013.
This year’s matchup will see North Union on a four-game winning streak while Alder picked up its first win last Friday over Northwestern.
While North Union has been strong on the offensive end, it has been the defense that has been leading the charge.
Through the first four games, North Union (4-0) has earned three shutouts, including last Friday night’s 35-0 win over Kenton Ridge.
In the other contest, NU gave up just 14 points.
Jonathan Alder (1-3) broke out offensively last week, scoring 45 points against Northwestern.
That was nearly double its output over the first three games of the season.
“Getting the win has helped generate excitement,” Alder coach Nathan Snedeker said. “The team has been resilient through the process.”
Snedeker, who is in his first year as JA’s head coach, added it has been a little tough on the team, especially the seniors, to experience getting off to a not-that-common slow start.
“But the guys have never lost focus,” he said. “We are still going through the learning process.”
North Union head coach Nick Hajjar has been pleased with how the Wildcats have remained alert to the job at hand.
“We have been able to stay the course and bring it together,” Hajjar said. “We’ve been able to execute and win the game.”
There was not a lot of time for the Wildcats to enjoy their win over Kenton Ridge.
“You have about 24 hours and then it’s on to the next opponent,” he said.
Despite each teams’ records, both coaches expect a hard-fought battle between them.
“North Union has had a lot of success and it is easy to see why,” Snedeker said.
One thing he has noticed about the Wildcat defense is its ability to be anywhere it needs to be.
“The defense is very stout and sometimes it seems like they have more than 11 guys on the field,” Snedeker said. “On offense, they are getting in positions to be successful.”
While Snedecker is in first season, Hajjar still sees some of the aspects of the Pioneers’ style from the previous coaching staff.
“Each coach puts his own identity on things, but some of the core beliefs remain the same,” he said. “They have junior and senior leadership, good size and they use different weapons. They are a very good football team and you would be foolish to just look at their record.”
After an even split of home and road games over the first four weeks, Friday will be the first of three straight away games for North Union.
Jonathan Alder will be home for just the second time this season.
This week marks the halfway point of the season.
“It has gone pretty fast,” Hajjar said of getting to the midway point. “With working on a week-to-week season, you are not always reflecting on where you are in the season.”