In another dominating performance, the Jonathan Alder football team has added another win to their 2016 record. Their week 3 opponent, the Aces of Amanda-Clear Creek High School, visited the Pioneers on Friday, September 9. Both teams came off of week two wins. Alder defeated Zanesville High School 33 to 14 and Amanda beat Meigs High School 20 to 14.

The Pioneer offense capitalized against the Aces with scores on several long plays. Senior Andrew Koenig warmed up the scoreboard by returning the game’s opening kickoff from his own 18-yard line for a touchdown. Junior quarterback Preston Eisnaugle scrambled in the second quarter and found wide-open senior Austin Fooce for a 65-yard touchdown pass. Fooce also scored in the third quarter on a weaving, 46-yard run. Junior running back Jamie Dye followed up his two-touchdown performance from week two with a 65-yard score to start the third quarter.

Alder’s defense was spectacular once again. The Aces failed to score on the Alder defense, despite multiple trips deep into Pioneer territory. Junior linebacker Bryan Blacka continued his defensive wizardry by tallying up a turnover in his third straight game, this time a fumble recovery in the third quarter. Along with Blacka’s fumble recovery, the Pioneer defense made several fourth-down stops to regain possession.

Jonathan Alder’s special teams also played a large part in their 34 to 0 win. While the only special teams score came from Koenig’s return, punts from Eisnaugle and a pair of impressive tackles on kickoff from seniors Trey Mast and Devin Keaton helped pin down the Amanda offense.

The Pioneers look ahead to their first league matchup of the season in a Friday night game against the undefeated Spartans of Marion Pleasant High School.